Nourished, housed, and happy.
U.S. Marine Corps retired Major Robert “Bob” Zink forges a legacy caring for Marines and their families.
In 1971, Zink enlisted in the Marine Corps and his service to America continues to this very day.
He was inspired to join the U.S. Marine Corps after seeing his brother, Bill, return from Vietnam a hero.
“That first day was terrible,” remembers Zink. When he finally arrived to boot camp in Parris Island, SC (after traveling from his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA) drill sergeants shouted orders and stripped him of the few belongings he had, only to equip him with war essentials (the “Sea Bag Drag”) before sending him to his barracks.
“Like most recruits when they join, I thought, ‘What did I do?’” he said.
Keeping the Troops Happy
Stationed as a cook at Henderson Hall in the Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, VA, Zink also served in the Marine Corps Commandant’s Mess in the Navy Annex “up the hill” from the Pentagon. He remembers General Cushman having a specific affinity for creamy peanut butter, insisting on having a fresh jar of it on his desk every morning.
At the end of his first enlistment period, then Sergeant Zink, reenlisted and became an avionics technician for the A4 Skyhawk jet aircraft while stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. In 1978, he married Glens Falls native, Laura Winans, and today they have two daughters and five grandchildren.
After being promoted through the ranks, Major Zink became Head of the Marine Corps Food Service, responsible for making sure both field armies and garrison troops were well-fed at home and overseas.
Coming Home
On November 1, 1998, (exactly 27 years from the day he enlisted) Major Zink retired with the Meritorious Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Marine Corps Overseas Service accommodation for his time in Okinawa, Japan, and South Korea.
For the next 18 years, Zink was a defense contractor headquartered in Arlington, VA, where he helped negotiate G-13 family housing contracts. He returned to Glens Falls for special occasions and family get-togethers every year until finally moving to the area seven years ago.
“I always promised my wife I’d bring her home,” said Zink. “I love Glens Falls, I always have. When I moved up here, it was the first town I’d been to where I didn’t have to find my way around because I was familiar with it already.”
Serving America
In 2019, Major Zink joined the Marine Corps League Memorial Detachment No. 2 in Hudson Falls. Now in his second year as Detachment Commandant, he is also a current member of the Glens Falls VFW, and is the Glens Falls American Legion Post 233 Commander.
“Regardless of your service affiliation, if you’re a member of these organizations, you’re still serving America,” he said.
The Marine Corps League, the only congressionally chartered USMC related veteran organization, honors and assists veterans and their families in a variety of ways.
After receiving their charter in 1946, Memorial Detachment No. 2 was instrumental in organizing the Memorial Day Parade in Glens Falls and providing Thanksgiving food baskets to needy families. Soon after, they began collecting, repairing, and distributing used toy donations to children for the holidays.
In the late 80’s, the detachment joined the National Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program; a large-scale effort that resulted in local collections being distributed outside of the area. In 2016, the local program, now known as the Tri-County Marines – Toys for Girls and Boys, formed and today serves 200 to 300 families (400 to 600 children) annually in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga County (north of Exit 15).
Exceeding Expectations
From now until the week before Christmas, the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys is collecting monetary contributions and donations of unwrapped toys for children ages 2 -12.
By supplying a toy collection box to any business or organization that wishes to support their program, Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys provides families with giant sacks full of toys in time for the holidays (rather than limiting gifts to one per child). The Marine Corps League, a 501c4 nonprofit, uses monetary donations to buy gifts, especially those older children will love, but often aren’t donated including: basketballs, remote control drones and vehicles.
“We appreciate the response that we’ve had from the local community, for the toys and the monetary donations you provide,” said Zink. “It’s just fabulous that the local community has supported us for so many years so that we can go above and beyond distributing toys to local families.”
To apply for the Tri-County Marine Toys for Girls and Boys program, a parent or guardian must visit Marine Corps League Detachment No. 2, at 3033 State Route 4, in Hudson Falls between November 18th– 22nd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proof of residency, school district, age and gender of children is required. Children must be between the ages 2 to 12 years old. Applicants then will need to return December 16th – 20th, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to pick up their toys.
Mail donations to Marine Corps League Memorial Det. 2, PO Box 322, Glens Falls NY 12801. Follow them on Facebook @mclmemorialdetachment2