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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmanxNNaJGh-AUYL8JQMzkGXR0QQ-0iOmr3rrwCQc8zHjHy2nlc-rmakSks3hDWHMa7YLMFNVijxJwffKLJaASqaGnbS1NQCtt27DIxIES7y1WC7yZdpnH2dmeYR1kXwdnfn4CfIGigYc/s320/img003.jpg) |
Edi Gay, me and Gary Zullo 1994 Prism Concert |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8foMolNXXHn9lE_zF-GIfG4X2Ep1_AE4EPxBQzwowKqa_WqyWJmqXp3iJqimPlm4Q4Q0es29GD1cc8Qkwk2PjaEF54pBAepnforZdvoLIA1fKVOE_FyajbAXDCs2tMNfh5HyY_DP7IJs/s200/newscan13.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxue-107g_B4bbX66CFrSjXiTkScqqwjSkPGixDqM-rBB_yNw_XaFpEbikjrQveteLH35_SBTM4RIabjTNme8S8vOsudvrCfjF4lCgy6-Fk6w0l2RuIw8oWwnbMzxJnWTeJ9LzvLoQ8Y/s200/IMG_0428.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMbChQNlWmlGsdtMu-W6CqjX3b2kXT16CscyoFsL_WCU5DeEaYZ-SmohKYNeU9HAGpX3ymnG6bMOCqcA3cfitkv2d0ue3s3X27oWULTyQgHl02_mz0qdkaG14KqDywtr0TY2opK_7FoM/s200/IMG_0549.jpg) |
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?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN-vc9ohgtv4Mf6yitRZVu_bFhJyQVwcErZi662zsJozOz6Lu7_7bmN58bRN4Gt8gqeGxcK8HioIFPanrA9H6OO_5TGsJYRkqp25XkMk6CpJQ8sMDI3Skvs8vJMaDqpgZkPo1Cnd_mLE/s320/IMG_0552.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOK0CmbW9cwvM3Zj2l-G-eiA9hPVsyyBKfREmIVdi6koPlc45BxbOzjamA-IgW_TmmXzDXUs7CgQhF0k0cdVHVbaKTjDqh4aBN2QQGMWgD4lw9YmEHzzJQiCKuklnrsHvIfwmMjO7j4A/s320/IMG_0457.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSE_cvGYqnKajWfGH3LacQRt-uvCthMUu7bjOj7vDprx0M-kfahJK2zXu4XgiutS88ykl-k2DW7Zqwcf8UYAZZ4E57yMmhYRdneA8BWrHeiUy7upwstSjDT3HsjNPAmF2q9YEtMiLXOA/s200/img005.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMTai0fC0WaU1vxdkkxG-mvRAni7kdC6TRN8Prw9b7RbahXbyYQBdB5HzZjBGDSneBut5fJu9540R-BDE1ZjnFlYsoKpJik1QQXKzPJYbN9_FO6TGPDTi4fnassiIrMjc-1AKtAVSfX4/s200/img006.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreUPoeyfzD-1V6oGtinV6y3jW1NlWsGVivzqQoljh9uNUHAG99mGxlP0mO0I063h9PFCT3b8hvR4FU0Uyvv9hveXX9dANk5A80gUCZ0HlnjPFl9WI07qhDJKbIZHYIeryojegKzyQbXc/s320/IMG_0551.jpg) |
Grant and Mikey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IEo2lVs7OzD_TQKKC6wEhbbvD3kTWbvKK_9hPsfdi68iTPF5QGXcWbIgcz8ONc-4wwwNWGyeMZkxTl2aKN1b9X7S77jyMLy3isQ_oIZEZO1EZ-0lLpmqEU8sd7VBdogPlUX6nEHf4No/s320/IMG_0676.jpg) |
The Crazy Doctors |
Family is Forever!
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