campus grounds

I didn't know Master Sargent Zaniewski.  My dad was his old commander when they served together.  everyone, my dad included would call him "MSg Z" or just "Z."  I had only met him once but I could tell that he was the NCO's NCO (Non-commissioned Officer).  He was the crusty type of guy that you would see in the military movies.  The hard shell of a man that stood up to anyone and could walk through a hail of bullets in the middle of a fire fight.  He had the demeanor of, "Don't worry Sir, I'll take care of it" He was a guy that the Army had gotten a hold of and refined him to the best of their abilities but he still had the roughness of a Non-commissioned Officer. The only difference that I saw was that he had a soft center.  His wife Amy made sure of that. she ensured that he stayed in touch with humanity and kept a gentle side.  Master Sargent Andrew Zaniewski succumbed to his illness on January 21, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. He passed away in his sleep.

I had gone to Florida to say good bye to a co-worker who suffered from PTSD.  He decided to end his life because the suffering that he had.  My father had gone with me so he could go and spend time with MSG Z.  My dad and Z worked together while my family was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Tx in El Paso.  While traveling to Florida, my dad would periodically tell storied of Z.  From what I had learned, MSG Z retired from the Army, and after that he gone into various businesses one of which was owning and operating a bar.  

After saying my good byes to a brother-in-arms, my dad and I trekked over to Z's house where we were invited to have dinner with he and his wife, Amy.  Amy was a vivacious personality who instantly hugged us and invited us into their home.  Settling in with small talk we were invited to go out on their boat and cruise through the cannels the backside of their neighborhood then going out in to the bay and fish. After about an hour on the boat we cruised back in, tied up the boat, and headed in for dinner.  Z, knowing before hand that I didn't like seafood, asked my to taste a marinara sauce.  Not wanting to be rude I obliged.  I initially tasted the marinara, which was delicious and then the pungent after taste of fishy seawater instantly tuned me green.  All the while, MSG Z watching me, to see when I would make that embarrassing face, wanting me to spit it out.  Well, with one swift gulp I swallowed it as if I was having to digest a rock covered in a putrid slim. seeing my face he busted into laughter with my dad following suit.  After a few he told me that I was going to have a steak. We finally settled at the dinner table and started our meal.  During dinner he and my dad talked about old times reminiscing over war stories (not actually war but rather just times in the military together).  Occasionally Amy or I would be invited into the conversation talking about the military.  After dinner we sat in the living room still talking about old times for about 2 more hours.  I got the feeling that Amy and Z definitely enjoyed the laughs. It seemed that they hadn't had much to laugh about welcomed the distraction, even if it was short lived.  Being escorted to our car, still gleaming with smiles, my dad and I were given hugs from Sgt Z and Amy.  When they hugged me it was as if I had been old friends with them and hadn't seen them in years.  On the way back to the hotel my dad didn't necessarily have a smile one his face but I could tell he was happy on the inside and was excited that he got to see Andy one last time.  I remember asking some questions about Z and listening to my dad tell small snip-its about what he was like.  The kind of things that lead my dad to think that Z could be a pain in ass but was an NCO that he wouldn't trade for the world.  Again, the idea of, "Ill take care of it... A, just go back to your office SIR!"  "I got this..." Then saying something to the affect of you don't need to see what's going to happen next.  The overt plausible deniability for my dad.

Good bye Master Sargent Andrew Zaniewski.  We'll see you at the gates for shift change