thedrifter
10-21-07, 07:10 AM
memorial
School retires team jersey of Toms River Marine killed in Iraq
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/20/07
BY CHELSEA MICHELS
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
TOMS RIVER — The auditorium of Toms River High School North was filled with tears, music, pulsating pride, Marines and veterans, friends and family, as the school district honored Pfc. Vincent M. Frassetto by retiring his football jersey, No. 90.
A 2003 graduate of High School North, Frassetto, 21, was killed Sept. 7, 2006, two weeks after he landed in Iraq.
"This jersey will never be worn by any athlete again as the proud history of this school unfolds," said Principal James J. Hauenstein. "He wore the blue and gold of both uniforms with a sense of pride and duty."
The ceremony is part of a series of memorials to honor Frassetto. It was intended to be held before the school's homecoming football game but was conducted indoors because of the weather. The game was postponed to this afternoon.
In addition, a plaque will be placed at the school stadium with the No. 90 on it with the inscription, "First a Mariner, then a Marine." Also, a scholarship has been set up by his parents, Teresa and John Frassetto of Toms River, to be given to a deserving senior in his memory.
A memorial in front of the school honoring all alumni who lose their lives in service to their country will be built.
The ceremony began with Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be an American" playing, along with a slide show of pictures from the funeral, as fam-ily and guests filed onto the stage.
"We're here to recognize Vinny by paying homage to his memory, by dedicating the monument you see by the entrance to Mariner Field, and to retire his jersey, No. 90," said Michael J. Ritacco, superintendent of schools.
He described Frassetto as reflective, a great listener, an ultimate team player with a winning smile.
"He proved himself on the battlefield the same way he did on the football field," said Ritacco. "Every generation has a story to tell and a hero to look up to. . . . We have a true hero here, and his name is Vincent Frassetto."
After an emotional rendition of taps, Teresa Frassetto spoke about being notified of Vinny's death and the way the town rallied around the family with support.
"This town stepped up like nothing I've ever seen before or expected," said Teresa.
She talked about how her son loved football, and after suffering a neck injury his sophomore year, he trained long and hard in order to play again his senior year. She described the circumstances surrounding Frassetto's death in Iraq, and how she met the men he was with at the time of his death.
"They were the ones who knew him best, they were the ones who trusted him as lead gunner, and they were the ones who were with him when he died," she said strongly, as audience members wiped their eyes. "Vinny, I know you're looking down on us, grinning from ear to ear."
"No one, no one, will ever forget you."
Chelsea Michels: (732) 557-5729 or cmichels@app.com
Ellie
School retires team jersey of Toms River Marine killed in Iraq
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/20/07
BY CHELSEA MICHELS
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
TOMS RIVER — The auditorium of Toms River High School North was filled with tears, music, pulsating pride, Marines and veterans, friends and family, as the school district honored Pfc. Vincent M. Frassetto by retiring his football jersey, No. 90.
A 2003 graduate of High School North, Frassetto, 21, was killed Sept. 7, 2006, two weeks after he landed in Iraq.
"This jersey will never be worn by any athlete again as the proud history of this school unfolds," said Principal James J. Hauenstein. "He wore the blue and gold of both uniforms with a sense of pride and duty."
The ceremony is part of a series of memorials to honor Frassetto. It was intended to be held before the school's homecoming football game but was conducted indoors because of the weather. The game was postponed to this afternoon.
In addition, a plaque will be placed at the school stadium with the No. 90 on it with the inscription, "First a Mariner, then a Marine." Also, a scholarship has been set up by his parents, Teresa and John Frassetto of Toms River, to be given to a deserving senior in his memory.
A memorial in front of the school honoring all alumni who lose their lives in service to their country will be built.
The ceremony began with Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be an American" playing, along with a slide show of pictures from the funeral, as fam-ily and guests filed onto the stage.
"We're here to recognize Vinny by paying homage to his memory, by dedicating the monument you see by the entrance to Mariner Field, and to retire his jersey, No. 90," said Michael J. Ritacco, superintendent of schools.
He described Frassetto as reflective, a great listener, an ultimate team player with a winning smile.
"He proved himself on the battlefield the same way he did on the football field," said Ritacco. "Every generation has a story to tell and a hero to look up to. . . . We have a true hero here, and his name is Vincent Frassetto."
After an emotional rendition of taps, Teresa Frassetto spoke about being notified of Vinny's death and the way the town rallied around the family with support.
"This town stepped up like nothing I've ever seen before or expected," said Teresa.
She talked about how her son loved football, and after suffering a neck injury his sophomore year, he trained long and hard in order to play again his senior year. She described the circumstances surrounding Frassetto's death in Iraq, and how she met the men he was with at the time of his death.
"They were the ones who knew him best, they were the ones who trusted him as lead gunner, and they were the ones who were with him when he died," she said strongly, as audience members wiped their eyes. "Vinny, I know you're looking down on us, grinning from ear to ear."
"No one, no one, will ever forget you."
Chelsea Michels: (732) 557-5729 or cmichels@app.com
Ellie