Sunday September 10, 2017
I can safely say I have friends all over this great state of Florida. Many from schools, but there's one particular friendship that's like no other. Samantha Zullo is her name.
I graduated high school in 1994 and there was never a doubt that I would attend FSU. I auditioned for and became a member of "The World Renowned Florida State University Marching Chiefs." It was grueling and I worked hard to be part of the band. I quickly made a very good friend in Gary Zullo.
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Edi Gay, me and Gary Zullo 1994 Prism Concert |
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Me and David 3 weeks
before we got married. |
Gary and I dated for a few years and we definitely were an immediate family and have remained friends
for life.
We continued to be friends after we dated. Gary married Samantha and I married David. Sadly, I never actually met Sam (in person) until at Gary's funeral in 2010. They had one son together, Mikey, and I love him like a nephew.
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Dr. D. Plack 1/1/10 |
I remember like yesterday, when I received the call that Gary had passed away. Michael Staden actually called me as I was searching for my Chiefs family at the Jacksonville Jaguar stadium. Gary's passing wasn't expected - - not that day anyway. He was only 33. I searched for family, and I found Dr. Dunnigan and Dr. Plack who invited me to sit with the band.
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Dr. P. Dunnigan |
So, some people think I'm a little crazy for FSU. Well, I am. These people are my family, they've taken care of me in tough times and good times. Marching Chiefs was the first family that took me in when I moved from home in Winter Springs, FL.
What's this have to do with Hurricane Irma?
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Me and Samantha Zullo |
Sam lives in South Florida with her son, Mikey, and now her fiancé, Brad. She is one of the strongest women that I know. I'm proud to call her my friend. I hate the circumstances which made us closer, but I know Gary must have planned it.
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Samantha and Michael Zullo |
While Gary may no longer be with us physically, he was a stubborn guy and I'm proud he was my friend. I've been praying like crazy for my friends in Florida. I know the Zullos lost power this afternoon. I keep in touch because I know that Gary would want that. Our Chiefs family comes together in good times and bad.
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Gary on Bourbon St. 12/31/96 |
I never want to be a downer so I'll leave this post with smiles. The last bowl game I attended as a (student) Chief was
Sugar Bowl 1996 (actually, 1/2/97 was the date of the bowl game). Gary and I were not 21 (but New Orleans doesn't care). We were there with many Gators, settling a tied game from regular season. That said, ties haven't happened in college football since then.
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Me and officer who held Gary's beer |
The police still protected us and a cop even held Gary's beer so he could take my picture. New Year's Eve has both some good memories and some bad. What's funniest about these 2 pictures is we're actually both wearing our Chief's "official" ponchos. We were working with a 35mm camera and limited film, so selfies weren't really a thing.
Please be safe, Florida friends. Stay positive and make memories and maybe a few new friends.
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Grant and Mikey |
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The Crazy Doctors |
Family is Forever!
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