Team Zombie-Wounded Warrior Project

Times article

2011-06-01T11:16:00.000-04:00

The following is a link to a Times article shared with me. It was written while we were still in Ramadii, Iraq. It gives you the idea about what went on daily with our mission over there. I just don't like how it keeps referring to us as soldiers. Marines, we're Marines. Well written but poorly educated. Times Article

Operation Queens Biathlon

2011-05-17T00:32:00.002-04:00

Saturday night, I tossed and turned in bed. I was anxious, nervous and excited in one orbiting ball of energy as I lay in bed. Tomorrow was the day. A day I had put in a lot of thought, effort and emotion. This was "for all the big bucks". Years ago, I always wanted to do an event like this. I did a diabetes bike ride and saw all the other multiple fundraisers for certain diseases. A lot of them did have a personal connection to me. For example, cancer research, my father had lung cancer diagnosed days after my wedding; diabetes, my father and my wife are diabetic. I wanted something that not only did I have a connection to, but to something I was a victim to. So I saw the Wounded Warrior Project as that organization and I wanted to help them with their mission.


Writing names of fallen brothers on my shirt

This semester I was voted as the Vice President of the Student Veteran's Association. Nervous before to meet other veterans at my school, I put my chin down and went head first into my first meeting. After I overcame my fear to re-associate myself with my former military life, I saw something different. I saw civilians, except I saw a lot of potential in them. These were military trained students that I felt can do anything. So when it came to vote for who would head the organization, I put myself out there for Vice President. I wanted to represent the leaders of tomorrow. Why not President? It was my first meeting and I did not know how things ran so doing so would be a blind man's mistake. I gave the best speech I can on why I should be Vice President. Minutes later, votes were taken and I was voted with a landslide victory. There were 20 members present. It was pretty funny afterwards that my name still ended up as a vote for President.

Jane customizing a shirt

   Not everything turned out the way I had hoped. I saw this as a moment to organize a group that were veterans like me to help veterans. I felt this cause was different than the other causes in that we volunteered and knew what we were getting into. Cancer, diabetes and other ailments seemed to occur just randomly. We knew the ultimate price of death can occur. Lost of limbs and experiencing the hell of war were all known to us. Veterans still signed the dotted line in this still voluntary armed service. So I let the club know about my intentions that I would like to do the Queens biathlon and would ask for people to sponsor us and the money would go to the Wounded Warrior Project. I was in the veteran's center at Queensborough Community College just promoting my idea to the other student veterans. Anticipating a "Hell yeah, I'll fucking do it!" followed by an applaud and high fives as my fellow veterans would march out the room yelling "Ooorahs and hooaahhs". The room was silent. Instead all I got was "Uh, that sounds hard", "Man we're out of shape", and from our president "Nobody wants to do that!". I looked to her and just thought "Thanks motivation killer, how about you go to combat first before you tell me such negative things".
   Deterred I pondered why in the hell would they not want to do this. I mean, I feel so much for this cause because I lost a lot of friends in Iraq and a lot of friends were severely wounded. It wasn't something I heard that happened to them by word of mouth but I saw it happen. Right in front of my own fucking eyes! I thought this is something the other students saw too. I was wrong. I was basically the only infantry grunt. The rest were technicians fixing radios, submarine personnel, basically bean and battery counters. Pencil pushers, the ones I hated when I was in the Marines. Plus, I was only a small percentage that went to Iraq and actually saw combat. That's why they wouldn't understand what I was talking about or why I was so passionate about what I was seeking to do. It ends here I thought, this would never happen now. My friend Jose spoke to me and he told me about the problems he had with his Student Veteran club in California and how it was hard for him to get them to do things for veterans. He said to me, "Fuck them Z, you don't need them for this." An email had come from Linda the administrator for the QSVA (Queensborough Student Veterans Association) and she was asking if we ever planned to do anything as a club. I can tell she was getting frustrated with the group in that they never did any group events and that planning was horrible. I visited her at her office and told her what I was trying to do and also expressed my frustrations. She said "I'm not surprised". Her experience with the club was that they hardly did anything. She said "Go do whatever you have to do if it involves the club or not, it's your own thing and I support you". I walked out with my spirits even higher and I said to myself, "I'll do this even if I have to do it on my own."
    Saturday night, I was still there tossing and turning. I looked like I was break dancing under the covers. Look at where we are now. I had initially told the Wounded Warrior Project I was going to try to recruit about 5 people for the team because that's the amount I thought that would do the biathlon. Boy was I wrong. I underestimated that number. Race day morning there would be 24 of us. It was like pulling out an uninflated balloon to impress a small child. You start blowing it up only to find out you're trying to inflate a blimp. It took my breath away.
    One challenge and difficulty I had when I returned from the Marines was trying to fit in. I was cultured in the barracks of Camp Pendleton. All my Marines went off in separate ways, and they were the closest I had been to anyone. I came back to New York, unfortunately life went on without me while I was away. Friends had tales that didn't involve you. No one spoke the way you did, no one experienced or did the same things you did. I saw everything and everyone different. I felt like I stuck out walking the way I did with the haircut I wore and the squint I had from days of desert sun. Friends didn't have time for you like they did before. They had careers or their interests and hobbies were no longer the same as yours. There were friends I thought were best friends that didn't write a single letter to me while I was in Iraq even when I had written them. Things changed, people change, I changed. Now Corporal Zoleta was a jigsaw piece that came in the wrong box and now couldn't fit into any part of the puzzle.
    Sunday morning, someone had finally turned that jigsaw piece the right direction and found it was part of the puzzle all along. On that beautiful gloomy rainy morning as I pulled into the parking lot I saw nothing but yellow figures waiting. Team Zombie was assembling, yellow team shirts on, stretching, shaking hands, high fiving and taking bikes of their car racks. No matter what mother nature threw at me that Sunday morning, that morning still would be as beautiful as Easter, as bright as 3 suns. It was the greatest feeling in the world. Not only because there were a lot of us but that none of them were veterans. Some were children of veterans, but only Jason C. and I were the only veterans. You didn't need to be a veteran to believe that the cause we were racing for was just and worth their time and physical pain. Some may have been their just to race, but my mission was that I influenced them and motivated them to race for my team, my symbol for everything right I learned in the Marines. It was my portal to spreading my ethics and everyone jumped on board. That is my feeling of accomplishment.

Zhiyu and Jeff checking tire pressures

Jason (Left) prepping and Adrian (Center) rain jacket in hand

Wet ground from rain overnight

After we set up our transition zones and helped a late Gary and David get registered and set up, we made our way to the starting line. The race was small in number. Approximately 130 competitors in total. My team would be 24 of those competitors and we lined up near the front. The color yellow strung back a long way to the rear as we were 2-3 wide from the front. The starting gun went off and rest would be history to me. The first 300 yards would be downhill from the upper Alley Pond Park parking lot as we made our way to Winchester Blvd. Team Zombie's fastest runners were up ahead in a pack, stride kicking back, arms swinging in sync. Other racers were yelling "Go Team Zombie". I felt good, we were being recognized as being a group with presence. We then cut past the lower parking lot and behind the tennis courts. I smiled at this part of the trail, we had ran this path so many times and I knew we were more than ready to combat the upcoming hill. Zoom went Team Zombie up the hill. Months ago, some of us were walking and out of breath trying to make it over. Like a Zombie now, we were covering ground and going further and further. Left foot, right foot I heard my Team Zombie running with breath calm. Inhalation deep, exhalation effortless. The turn around point came quickly and we were heading back to the starting point. Everyone's pace seemed great. We were now spreading out. A biathlon is an individual effort so everyone found their own pace and went with it. Only a fool would race at a too fast pace and burn themselves out before they even got to hop on their bike. I learned that during training. What we didn't practice was the hill that would lead us back to the upper parking lot. We trudged on, I thought its too late now but we are still more than prepared for this.

Look how many Zombies there are

Transition set up

Stretch it out

This ones for you guys

Hopping on to my bike took longer than it should have as I sat with my ass on the ground trying to put my shoes on. I ran out and their was Patty, my cousins wife cheering us on. Wow, it made me feel better as I rode out onto the Cross Island Parkway. The roads were wet but luckily the course was mostly straight with only the turn around points being the only sharp turns. The first quarter of the CIP was downhill and I dropped it onto faster gears as I rode gravity like Sir Isaac Newton. "This is it!" I thought, "Drop the hammer Joe and make up that shitty run time". I pedaled concentrating on being smooth and keeping a nice cadence going with just the right amount of pedal resistance. I flew pass a few cyclists and started seeing Zombie's ahead in their yellow shirts as I was finally catching up. Coming back, a light mist started coming down. It didn't bother me, it was exactly what I needed as I felt more alive and it helped cool my body even more. Coming back we fought the uphill on the hill that we used to fly down in the beginning of bike course. Bud, Zhiyu, Dave, Kevin, Eddy and Han were far ahead and looking great on the bike. Bud was still smiling and Zhiyu had a face he was putting out max effort. Coming back on the second leg of the bike, it hit me. I was starting to feel a cramp on my right calf. During training, a cramp would usually come during my second run but never this early. "Oh shit" I thought. I had been pushing it hard and would I survive the run now. Coming into the transition zone. I got my shoes on without a problem and I was out of there.

Sam trying to look amused

Team Zombie is focused

We're smiling now, wait till later

     300 yards out the transition zone, that cramped locked my foot outwards. Adrian was right behind me and asked if he needed me. I waved him on as I pulled out to the side to stretch and then began running backwards. Leeanna had taught me that during training as I cramping and it was working. Still running, I began passing those that decided it would be easier to walk. Easier but not faster. Bud passed me going the other direction towards the finish line and yelled "Joe!". I was thinking "How the hell is he still smiling?" Zhiyu followed and gave me a high five followed by Dave with another high five. Team Zombie's fastest were now finishing. I just trekked on. I made it over the hills with no problems but now I was developing a cramp on my left quadricep. The finish line was coming too soon to worry about it so I pushed on. The sound of cheers started echoing down the hill as I made the turn to the upper parking lot. There they were. Team Zombie in yellow at the finish line cheering to finish strong. No one else but Team Zombie there. Such good sportsmanship and team unity. I threw a fist in the air in victory as I crossed the finish line. I then joined them as we cheered others crossing the finish line, Zombie or not. A competitor said to us "I give you guys props for all being at the finish line cheering everybody else on." Yes, cause we compete with honor. We waited till the last one came in.
    We were a happy bunch. Joking and laughing despite the exhaustion. The team would win 2 awards. Leeanna won first place in her age group for Females 30-34 years old and my wife Jane won third place for her age group for Females. Congratulations to them both. They had no idea they would win an award and the look of surprise on their face was priceless.
     After wards, it was off to my house for the post race barbecue. Food and booze awaited us as we took today to be one hell of an accomplishment. I had marinated some ribs and wings the day before. Dave picked up a keg of Blue Moon for us and we put it on ice Saturday. My team deserved to relax and more. They had shown commitment, great spirit, and a lot of heart. People have said to me that I make a great leader especially to what this team has done. I don't believe it one bit, I had to say little and explain little, Team Zombie just took it out of my hands and ran with it. Sunday was one of the best days of my life. Thank you to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Semper Fidelis and Oorah Zombies!

To view full race results follow this link: Queens biathlon Results


Adrian finishing strong

Me flying in

Jane sprinting in

Otto finishing

Sam making it look easy

Jason strong finish

Cynthia finishing strong

Jeff's victory

Marilyna crossing the finish line

Vincent's victory pose

Dave barreling through the finish line

Maria still got some energy left

Eddie's war face

Sabina strolling through

Team Zombie cheering

Our winners!

Team Zombie at the finish line


They will never fade

Group Date Night

2011-05-16T21:42:00.000-04:00

During our fundraiser at Turtle Bay we had a date auction in which the money we sold our lovely ladies and gentlemen would be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

My wife Jane helped organize a lovely group date which took place May 7th in the evening. The place for romance would be a french restaurant named Jadis in the East Village. The restaurant was able to reserve 4 separate tables for us. Meet up time was 7pm. The couples would be on time, difficult in New York.

Jane and I sat at our own table and let the couples chat away in conversation. I took a quick glance at everyone and they were all dressed to impress. Gentlemen had their "A"game faces on. They were all deep in conversation and the wife and I just let everyone be.
I would like to thank the auctionees for being great sports in giving their time to support the cause during the fundraiser and for participating in date night. Also, to the winners for donating money to the Wounded Warrior Project. Thank you all and I hope you had a beautiful night.

French Food

Tasty cuts

Kevin and Wenky

Jane regulating and making sure everyone is well behaved

Colette and Mike

AJ and Betsy

Wife and I

Renegade

2011-05-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

I have always been looking for ways to think outside the box and to make do with what I'm given. That's pretty much the life story of the US Marine Corps, the smallest branch with the smallest budget given the toughest job. So, when it came to making up the next training plan for May 1st, I wanted to focus on our cycling skills. Unfortunately, New York City does not offer a lot of bike routes that offer a large amount of mileage. I mean there are, but it'll involve a lot of intersections, turns, pot holes and wreckless drivers. Luckily, that training day would be the same day as the NYC 5 borough bike tour.
A few of Team Zombie's members were already signed up as front end marshalls. It would be too late for the rest of the team to sign up. The event was sold out and I don't think any one of us wanted to pay its high registration fee. So we decided to ride bandit. Normally, I would condone illegal acts, but come on! You can't miss a great training opportunity when it presents itself.

Renegades ready to jump into the pack

We all met up around Astoria along the area in which the bike tour would have a rest station at Astoria park. Everyone was set and ready and hopped right into the flow of bicycles, thousands of them. We were headed south on 14th Street in Queens, headed towards Brooklyn. Cyclists owned the road and people along the side cheered on. It was a beautiful day in New York. No better way to experience the city than on a bike. You're not restricted to the confines of an automobile. Negotiating traffic is easier but you still must think safety.

Apex of the Gowanus BQE. Regrouping and enjoying the view

Zombies helping fellow cyclist fix a flat

Jeremy loving his fresh new ride

West bound Brooklyn Queens Expressway all to ourselves

As we rode into Brooklyn, I noticed the road paint and saw how much of the road was a dedicated bike lane, some parts all green. We rode through Greenpoint, Williamsburgh and DUMBO before hopping on to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Given the amount of traffic, road construction and highway closures in New York, it felt great to have a highway to yourself while riding a bike. I definitely felt privileged. Then came the uphill portion of the Gowanus. I said to a guy on a bike on my right "Now I know why there's always traffic here. It's a hard up hill and even the cars have trouble making it up the incline". He laughed as he slowly drifted behind. Probably conserved his energy from laughing to be used for getting up the hill.
Our group was strung out thin as we got to the top of the hill. We decided to stop and wait for others and took a moment to take a glimpse at the massive amounts of bikers off in the distance. I was in awe. I imagined what life would be like if we only rode bikes instead of having automobiles. Team Zombie helped a cyclist fix a flat and we were off downhill to continue the rest of the route.
We were going smooth and fast down the highway, an awesome joy ride. It would be cut short as the 3 lane highway merged into one lane. Ride organizers created a stop in which they would send off a small amount of riders at a time down the one lane. This created a stand still and a headache. Everyone dismounted as we moved up to the stop.

A congested highway. Awesome t-shirt!!

We finished our ride at the foot of the Verrazano bridge. If we had crossed we'd get stuck in Staten Island with no way getting back and supposedly there's a checkpoint there to make sure all riders were registered tour riders. Being in western Brooklyn, you can't turn down a good opportunity to grab some chow and for Team Zombie, that is the moral builder.
Finding a small Korean BBQ restaurant we parked our bikes on the sidewalk and caught lunch. Afterwards, some took the subway home and some of us rode our bikes back to Astoria. Great way to end the day.

Thumbs up from Vincent who also got a new ride

Verrazano Bridge in the background

On a different note we are now about 3 days away from our biathlon. The team is ready. I don't know about the rest of team but I definitely feel a lot of excitement and my heart races as I think about it. The hard work we put in will definitely show come race day and I know for a fact everyone will be successful.

Turtle Bay Fundraiser a success

2011-04-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

Thursday, April 21st was our first ever Team Zombie Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser. The fundraiser took place at Turtle Bay Bar and Grill in Manhattan. The management was very accommodating and I would like to thank team members LeeAnna K. and Otto C. on coordinating with the Turtle Bay to make this fundraiser a success.

Happy hour bracelets were on sale at the door for $5 and it gave you half off drinks and appetizers. We had sold approximately a hundred bracelets. Team Zombie was reserved the second floor of Turtle Bay. It was a slow start. As people got out of work, the place began to fill. Drinks were poured, high fives exchanged and good times ensued.

The date auction went well. Auctionees advertised/pimped themselves out to prospective bidders. Special thanks to my wife, Jane for hustling in getting bids and for pimping out our handsome and beautiful auctionees. The silent auction bidding picked up as the end of the auction ended at 2130hrs. It reminded me so much of Ebay bidding when bidders try to sneak in their last minute bids. I would like to thank the auctionees for selling off their hides for the Wounded Warrior Project. Our wounded veterans thank you.

Otto(Center) with our Male auctionees

A.J. (auctionee#1) stating to Tuan and Anna why he'd make a great date


(LtoR)Chris, Huong (auctionee #6), Karen (auctionee #8), Grace

In a crowd, a Zombie sticks out.

Auctionees (LtoR) Colette, Betsy, and AJ, dressed to kill.

With fellow veteran and QSVA member Lex (Left), Me (Right)

Jane rocking her self customized Team Zombie shirt


Beautiful friends Huong and Lucy. Thanks to Lucy we were able to sell some Team Zombie shirts.

Menu of auctionees

All in all, a very joyful night. Not bad for our first fundraiser. Spoke to people about the Wounded Warrior Project and how it has helped out veterans. Some didn't want to hear it, and some gave their time to listen, but that's just part of raising awareness. Thankfully, I've surrounded myself with a lot of supportive friends and family. Team Zombie thanks everyone for coming and showing their support. We continue to train because there are people out there that believe in us and believe we can accomplish our goals.
I would like to thank my best friend Myther Ganibe in providing these excellent pictures of the fundraiser. If anyone has photographic/videographic needs for any event, you can check out some of his work on his website: Myther Ganibe Studios. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Fundraiser

2011-04-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

Tonight will be our fundraiser at Turtle Bay Bar and Grill:

987 2nd Avenue (btwn 52nd and 53rd Street) New York, NY 10022

It will be from 1800-2100hrs for happy hour special drinks. $5 will get you half off on drinks and appetizers. Stay or come afterwards. We will still be there selling shirts and raffles. All proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Feeling lonely? Bid on some of our voluptuous auctionees during our date auction. The group date will take place at approx. May 7th location TBD.

All team members have been working hard to promote this fundraiser and also coordinate the event. Special thanks to Leeanna, Otto, and Jane for their help.

Fall in!

2011-04-20T14:47:00.001-04:00

     "Fall in!" a common command given in the Marines. It commands a group of Marines standing around to organize themselves into a formation. The width of the formation are called squads and in length, the rows are called ranks. The command can also be given to a single Marine, it commands him/her to join a group already in formation. When a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Coast Guardsman returns from service they return to a group they've been away from for quite a while.
      The Marines I have served with were still young when they left home. Eighteen, some even seventeen come into boot camp and learning for the first time how to shave; how to shine their boots; how to iron properly; how to properly address and greet someone in a respectful manner. In essence, the DI (drill instructor) was the father we never had. He puts us to bed at exactly 2100hrs every night and gets us up, like children getting prepared for school every morning. For many of the young recruits, this was their only solid father figure. And boot camp, was the furthest and longest they've ever been away from home. We learned so many things in boot camp. We learned how to walk again, this time in step with the person to your front and to step off with your left foot at all times, and the importance of the three S's every morning; Shit, Shower and Shave.
     We learn about life in a different manner compared to the everyday man. I speak of men because this is the only perspective I can see it. Don't think of it like I'm excluding women. I can only speak of what I know.
     I know a Marine, a very good one, that when we were leaving the Marine Corps, he had serious doubts on what to do. He didn't know if he wanted to stay in or leave and return to the civilian world. He was young when he joined, only eighteen. Jose Vazquez from East Los Angeles, CA, or from "East Los" he would say in his layed back MexiCali accent. On our flight to Kuwait during our first deployment, he sat right next to me. He was anxious and looking out the window. California's bright sunshine was coming through the porthole. He turned to me and if he had a tail, you would see it wagging at this point.

Vazquez roof top overlooking Ramadii, Iraq

     "This is my first time flying Zoleta", he said, huge grin in place. I thought to myself, "Get the fuck outta here". Imagine experiencing the first flight you were on was not to some tropical vacation spot, or to visit grandma because you miss her chocolate chip cookies so much; but to Kuwait, not knowing if destiny had purchased you a round trip flight. You won't be landing in Hawaii where women in grass skirts and coconut bras put a lei around your neck. Instead, you would be rushed to the furthest reaches of the desert to participate in the largest assault in modern combat.
     Flash forward to 2005. We were now two time combat veterans now. Hardened like a sword that was tempered with a hammer, but now we were scared and uncertain. He did not know if he would go to college. What would it be like to be away from the barracks? The unknown lay in front of Vazquez. Not only did he tell me that he feared it, it was showing in his every expression.
     Today, I asked about those doubts he had. It was rough for him in the beginning but he managed to find his way through. Perseverance, Marines don't quit. They find they're way, one way or another.

How did you feel as your EAS (End of Active Service) date came closer?

I have to say the Marine Corp was the best decision I could have made for myself. My choice to volunteer my life during September 11, 2001 was an amazing and incredible time. I met a great group of elite people who took it upon themselves to make a commitment to sacrifice every ounce of sweat, tear and blood to take on matters that were beyond our control. Upon returning from my 2^nd tour from Iraq my morale was ecstatic about my separation from the service. What was so mentally draining for me was thinking about what to do once I was out. Safe to say school was the plan and idea, but really had no clue about what to pursue as a lifelong career. Honestly, separating from the Marine Corp was terrifying for me because I wanted to be a “lifer” a term we utilize for those who make it a career. Personal problems and family made me come to my decision to go through my separation and transition to a civilian.

What was going through your mind when you were out and living your life as a civilian?

Living life as a civilian was a huge transition for the first couple of years and continues to be. The thought of having to go back to school was scary even though there was nothing to fear. Apparently, my thoughts were so powerful controlling my emotions and feelings that my thought process was completely disillusioned about what I wanted in life. This was a challenge for me and I took it upon myself to find help and make that effort to find what would give me a happy medium for my life. Therapy has helped me and continues to help me bridge the gaps that make me feel as if I cannot fit in society. Also, staying busy and making the right choices continues to be part of my success being a civilian. Making goals and keeping them in perspective keep my mind focused and on track.

What problems do you face and expect to face in the future?

I personally believe that you have to go through trial and error and find out for yourself what works for you and what makes you function effectively and efficiently. When you feel like there is no answer, know that others have been there and have overcome their challenges. Semper Fidelis!

Vazquez and I still remain close. We have made it a plan to be only a phone call away when we had problems coping with flashbacks, stress, nightmares and just regular life. We were brothers at arms and remain to be eternally. War had made us family and that is as good as blood. Semper Fi indeed Vazquez.

Training Ops

2011-04-19T02:58:00.001-04:00

Setting up our transition area

As with any great training plan, as time goes by, there will be a point where you have to kick it up a notch. This weekend was one of those times we kicked it up, kicked it up into outer fucking space.


Approx 3/4 mile point. Still all smiles

Team Zombie is compromised mostly of members from Xtreme Dragon Boat Racing Team (including me). At this time of year, practice begins for the oncoming dragon boat competitions. Not to neglect any practice, we've incorporated it as part of our workouts. The usual DB (dragon boat) practice days are in the morning every weekend. Those participating in the biathlon will have to train to complete their brick workouts either Saturday before DB practice or Sunday after DB practice. Then we've got the nut jobs that decide to do it both days of the week. More power to them.


Cynthia C. telling us she's still ok

Unfortunately, no pictures were taken during Saturday's practice and I was not able to attend due to work commitments. I will tell you this, mostly every body that went to Saturday's brick workout also went to Sunday's. That's dedication right there.

After DB practice Sunday at the World's Fair Marina in Flushing, we headed off to Alley Pond Park, the site of most of our brick workouts. There was a great turn out with 17 team members at ready. Bikes were staged and the route briefing was given. Shortly we were off. The distance we would be covering is a 2mile run-2 mile bike- 2mile run. Of course, what's a workout without its share of hills.

Adrian C. (Left) and Joseph Z. (Right) determined

How were these people so motivated? How did I get persons that hate to run, throw on running shoes and freakin run? One member didn't even know how to ride a bike until she heard of the team. Interesting fact, I'm the only veteran in the team. None of them has the impact of wounded veterans as much as I do, yet they're doing as much as I am. Running the dreaded hills, biking the distances, sacrificing their time to spread the word about the team. What would you rather do on a beautiful weekend? Probably sleep the fuck in or vegetate in front of the HD flat screen. Negative. Not these Zombies. I can tell you why they're motivated. Cause they have a lot of fucking heart. They believe in this cause as much as I do. More than the veterans in my college do. That's another damn story.

Team Zombie, you've made me proud. You're the platoon I've been looking for since I've left the Marines. I am honored to have fallen in your ranks. Semper Fi and Ooo fuckin Rah!

Marilyna L.


Otto C. (Left) and Leaanna K. (Right) off for the 2nd Run

Jane Z. is Xtreme-ly excited

Cynthia C. showing off her new found bike skills

Jeremy K. had some technical difficulties (Pedal broke off from too much torque)

Gary L. is Xtreme

Eddy K. checking his finishing time

Uniform

2011-04-13T20:32:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Zack from Design and Life for the creation and production of our first team shirt. Look for us in the upcoming events. These shirts are for sale for $20. Proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. Email me and let me know what size you would like. -Semper Fi!

Reconnaissance

2011-04-13T01:19:00.000-04:00

Transition Area

This past Sunday a few of us signed up to volunteer for the Brooklyn biathlon at Prospect Park. None of us had done a biathlon before, so we took this opportunity to see what it was all about. Also, it allowed us free registration to the Queens biathlon. Team members Jane Z, Jeff L., Bud P. and I arrived early in the morning at Prospect park at 0600hrs. Not to waste a good Sunday to train, we also bought along our bikes to train at the completion of the biathlon.

What did we learn? There are some elite athletes out there. In the transition area, where competitors would change from running to biking and vice versa, they planned out how they would come to their station and change. They would ask where they would come into the area and which direction they would leave. We "note to self" those minor details and watched as they warmed up. Some competitors ran around a little bit, but few warmed up on the bike.


Starting Line

At the starting line, everyone was poised and ready to go. Layers of warm clothing were removed and everyone looked more streamlined. Off they went down the pavement at Prospect park and the first person would come back from the 2.1 mile run in just under 11 minutes. I was astonished. He changed and was off quickly. At the end, the winner one in an approximate time of 50 minutes after completing a distance of 2 mile run, 10 mile bike and 2 mile run.


Bud P. would rather be racing


L to R, Eddie G, James L., Kevin C. Sam E.

Else where in Queens, self proclaimed Team Zombie Bravo was gathering for a brick workout in Alley Pond Park. Team members Eddie G., Sam E., and new members James L. and Kevin C. met up at 1000hrs to practice the hills of Alley Pond Park. Today they would complete a course marked by Eddie G. to be 2 mile run-7 mile bike- 2 mile run. This workout would be beneficial for race day.

Team Zombie Bravo's James L. pounding the pavement


Sam E. motivated to improve his run

Back in Brooklyn, at the end of the Brooklyn biathlon, Team Zombie Alpha was gearing up to go on their brick workout. Joining them would be members Zhiyu L. and new member Adrian C. Our course would be a 2 mile run- 6.5 bike- 2 mile run. For Jane Z., it would be longer for she took the wrong path and did two smaller bike loops. But, not to cheat the team or herself a workout, she continued onto an extra large loop biking for a total of 7.5 miles. After wards, we were starving and why miss an opportunity to eat out in Park Slope. Lunch was well deserved at Dizzy Diner. Till the next workout. Ooorah!

Makeshift transition area

L to R Zhiyu L., Bud P. new member Adrian C. and Jane Z.

L to R Zhiyu L., Bud P., Adrian C. Jane Z., Joe Z. (me)


Juevos Rancheros post workout recovery meal

Hungry ass warriors

November 8th, 2004

2011-04-09T12:27:00.000-04:00

If you have read my blog post "Disposable Heroes" by Sam Pennock, read this article. This will entail one of the days that live on in our minds. The excerpt that I posted from his book talks about this day, a day that plays itself over and over again.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6941539/ns/world_news-mideast/n_africa/

Sometimes all you've got are the memories.

-Semper Fi

The Diary

2011-04-06T10:41:00.000-04:00

Would always be carried on the inside of my flak jacket

I was fishing through some of my things in the garage the other month and I happened to find this little black book. It was lightly covered with some sand. The binded edge of the book was taped with an olive drab duct tape. For a moment, it looked unfamiliar to me. Then it hit me, and I literally said out loud, "Oh shit!". It was my combat diary from my first tour in Iraq. It still had some sand on it and looked a little worn. A parachute cord was taped to the binding and I used the length of it to hold or mark a page.

Front binding

As I shuffled through its pages, I saw a lot of things that bought back memories. In the front book binding, I taped a picture of my wife (we weren't married yet at the time) and I on our visit to Disneyland. The picture was dusty and the lamination I put on it had some wear. I'm glad I laminated it. Taped to the back binding, was a picture of my niece, Kymora. She was wearing a blue jumper and light blue knit hat. Dare I say it being a Marine, she is adorable. She's so grown up and busy with selling girl scout cookies, gymnastics, and lacrosse.

Back binding

I shuffled through the beginning parts of the diary. The beginning had some poetry I had written. A lot of it were notes I had written during classes we constantly gave within our company. Classes like clearing a room of hostiles, the handling EPW's (enemy prisoner of war), combat 1st aid, and code encryption. This little black book was partially a book of notes, and partially my diary. I did not keep a good diary. Reading it, they were just a lot of ramblings of a kid stuck in the desert. The beginnings parts were boredom. Why didn't I keep a good diary? It's value to me would mean so much now than I would have ever imagined. I do recall, the time I should have spent writing, I spent sleeping. Sleeping was as valuable as water. It would be hard to come by as we rolled into Iraq. It did bring back memories, and emotions though. The texture of the cover reminded me of the constant struggle I had to keep sand out from between the pages. Sandstorms or even the regular wind made sand appear everywhere. This made it difficult for keeping weapons clean.


Back binding where I wrote the serial # to my M16 and Night Vision Goggles


Orders on our first mission into Iraq

Notes on interpreting arabic writing

How to fire a SMAW (Shoulder Mounted Anti-Tank Weapon)

How to say numbers in arabic

Notes on clearing a room

Its entries were very private. I would find myself cutting off an entry into the diary when another Marine would come by. I was afraid they would read it. They might think "Zoleta's writing his final words". I could take that Marine's hope easily knowing that I may have given up hope by writing my final words. Even now, it's hard to share. What would others think? I don't know. But. it's best to put them in my boots and share our story for no one may ever understand us. Our story may never be told.

Little by little I'll post entries of my diary. It's going to take some courage on my part but give it time and I'll build it up. So check back in regularly to read about some of our stories.

-Semper Fi

Rehearsals

2011-04-04T17:02:00.001-04:00


Alley Pond Park Tennis Center on beautiful Sunday

Prior to every mission, it is always a good idea to do a rehearsal. The planning phase has been drawn out already and tasks have been handed out to individual team leaders. It is vital that you allow time for rehearsals prior to the kick off of the mission. The rehearsal allows your unit to be put in the mindset of what the actual mission will be like prior to it being done. During my first deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, we rehearsed our first mission for weeks while in the deserts of Kuwait. We were just waiting on the orders to cross the border into Iraq. Rehearsals also allow you to find any problems you'll encounter during your mission. Problems you didn't think of when you were putting your plans on paper.

All smiles before the run. That would quickly change.


Still a little chilly

This past Sunday, Team Zombie did their first rehearsal. For almost all of us, this would be our first multi sport event. In our mind, we did not know what it would be like. Our muscles, they had no fucking clue what they were in store for.

Dave creating the roster

The weather in New York was finally cooperating, at least for that Sunday. The temperature would finally be over 50 degrees and the sun was out shining. We met at Alley Pond Park's tennis center. Our bikes would be staged. Team supporter Dave Garcia, watched the bikes for us and recorded our times as we took off into the park's Greenway, an asphalt trail that runs through numerous parks in Queens.

I am very happy to say 14 team members showed up that day. In New York, taking the time out is very hard to do and I'm very appreciative of the time members made in order to train together.

With everyone not having bikes yet. The team was divided into two teams. The first group would run first and the second group would take off 10 minutes after the departure of the first group. This would allow us to rotate the bikes around so that everyone would have a bike to use. Unfortunately, we underestimated the course and overestimated our abilities. The first riders would take longer to get back causing a delay for team members Jane and Cynthia.


Brick Workout Route

The beginning part of the course proved the most difficult. I hate hills and that's what the beginning was. It was a serious of short steep hills. The first run was tough but it warmed us up. Team members Bud and Zhiyu flew up this hill though with no problem as I pretended to have a 100 yard rope attached to them and wished they were tugging me up with them. But, what goes up must come down. The turn around point came at the over pass of Springfield Blvd. An orange cone was put in place by Eddie G. and Mourtaz M. prior to the beginning of the course to mark the turn around point. Going back to the start point, all we had to do was ride the hill down. A little painful on the knees if you ask me.


Group 2 punishing themselves up the hill

After the 1st leg, bikes were positioned in the parking lot and we had to learn to transition onto our bikes quickly in order to shorten our over all time. Of course, helmets were important and putting them on along with bikes shoes adds extra minutes. Off we went confidently only to be doomed by the same hill that brought us trouble on the run. The turnaround point would be at 210 street, which was also marked by an orange traffic cone. It would be approx. 1.75 miles out.


Bud P. gives a thumbs up flying downhill unfortunately had to leave early=-(


Zhiyu L. going so fast that he's nothing but a blur

After the bike, it was back into the sneakers and pounding the pavement. Only problem was, my legs didn't feel like they were mine. They didn't want to move and it was difficult to take a full stride. The bike had worn out certain muscles and now they were tight during the run. It was like I changed into a 5 year old's legs. Stride length felt like it was cut in half. Everyone's running form looked funny. Looking at our times, most of us had added 4-5 minutes to this second run in comparison to the first.

Everyone's demeanor though was "Go hard or go home", as they finished up our first brick workout. This would only be a fraction of what the actual Queens biathlon would be. Rehearsal had taught us that our transition times would need to be smoother and that our muscles will have to get used to biking followed immediately by running. Overall, the distance and event gave us a good gauge on our current fitness and a rude awakening in that the biathlon would be harder than this. The route offered its difficulty in the uphills and this will pay off.

Dave G.'s chicken scratch time keeping.

Team member	1st Run	Bike	2nd Run
Vincent	15min 4sec	19 minutes	20 minutes
Sabina	16min 2sec	27 minutes	21 minutes
Mourtaz	14min 15sec	19 minutes	19 minutes
Leanna	14min 15sec	23 minutes	37 minutes
Eddie	19min 07sec	17 minutes	23 minutes
Zhiyu	13min 21sec	11 minutes	18 minutes
Otto	14min 51sec	24 minutes	25 minutes
Bud	13min 21sec	11 minutes
Joe	14min 15sec	23 minutes	20 minutes
Group 2
Jeremy	13min 30sec	23 minutes	15 minutes
Jane	13min 15sec	20 minutes	17 minutes
Cynthia	13min 30sec	36 minutes	13 minutes
Jeff	18min	20 minutes	22 minutes
Sam	14min 09sec	21 minutes	24 minutes
Start Time	12:00:00

Group 2	10 minute gap

1st run: 1.6 miles
Bike: 3.5 miles
2nd run: 1.6 miles

Above posted are the individual times. Great job done by everyone. This will be our baseline. There's only room for improvement from here on out. Till next week, I shall leave you with the very famous quote, "The more we sweat in training, the less we bleed in battle"

Team Zombie after their 1st brick workout (minus Eddie G.- was helping a damsel in distress w/ a jump start. He's such a firefighter)

Mount up and move out

2011-03-30T00:16:00.000-04:00

Sunday's bike route

This Sunday was the first group ride for Team Zombie. A cold 30 degree morning made us layer up with different layers. For all of us, it would be the first ride of the year. Team member Same Evans just picked up his bike from the shop after a tune up the day prior. He made sure his bike was ready for what this year would bring. Ready for the ride, four of us loaded up into Eddie Garces Honda Ridgeline and proceeded to Washington Heights.

Surprisingly, there was no traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Everything was looking up and we quickly found parking 2 blocks away from the bike entrance ramp of the bridge. Tires were inflated, extra layers were added on, minor adjustments were made, and off we went.

Sam Evans (middle) Frank Garces (top) Joseph Zoleta (left)

Loaded

As for me, the beginning was a challenge. Getting used to using clipped pedals was difficult. Learning to use them back then was hard enough so clipping on to the pedals was hard to start especially uphill. Eventually, it would be "a lot like riding a bike". You never really forget how to do it.


Minor tweeks while on the bridge

Traffic on the GWB

We would meet with Team member Bud Pusposuharto half way on the bridge. Bud lives in New Jersey. He parked on the other side and would be our guide on this ride. He was more familiar with the route than all of us put together.

Eddie Garces (Left) Joseph Zoleta (right)

The bridge was windy and freezing. Snots were flying as we were riding across. The rendezvous with Bud went off without a hitch. We would ride up Route 9W headed north. Our turn around point would be a Japanese restaurant on the west side of the road called Kiku Alpine Restaurant. We broke off the rust of our bikes and on our bike riding skills. Four of us had road bikes. Bikes that were built for rides like this. Lightweight, high speed, and low drag bikes that make pedaling the open asphalt road feel like riding on butter. Unfortunately for team member Jane Zoleta, she was riding her sister's hybrid style bike. She would have a hard time on hills but kept up well with our sad looking "peloton".

The ride back was easier with an average speed of 12mph according to one of our GPS devices. Before we knew it, we were back at the bridge. I would say it was a successful first ride. Today we rode for approximately 20 miles. Hopefully, more of our team members would join us soon for the next training event.

L to R; Jane Zoleta, Joseph Zoleta, Bud Pusposuharto, Sam Evans, Eddie Garces

The next, training event will take place this coming Sunday, April 3rd at Alley Pond Park. Here we will do our first brick workout. A brick workout is one trains in two skills in the same training session. For example, run then bike quickly after or vice versa. We will be covering half the distance of our biathlon. Time to get used to the feeling of doing three events. The muscles have to be trained. "The more we sweat in training, the less we bleed in battle".

"Disposable Heroes" By Sam Pennock

2011-03-29T15:15:00.005-04:00

The following is an excerpt from one of my Sergeant's books he is working on. It is about our experiences in Iraq. The book will be called "Disposable Hero's". Please get yourself a copy when it comes out because I know it will be a great read.

By Sam Pennock

(Picture on right inside Combat Outpost Armory)

"Eventually the Muj decided that we weren’t going to come any farther down the street and they blew the IED’s all at once. I think they hoped it would be a big enough explosion that it would get us. They were right. A fireball like I’d never seen expanded from the right side of the road to the left in the blink of an eye and then everything seemed to slow down. I could feel my heart, it seemed to take so long between beats I thought I might have had a heart attack. I could see shrapnel flying through the air glowing and humming its evil melody. Everything seemed to happen one long slow frame at a time. A huge piece of what had been the pole of a street sign was coming right at me. At least 4 feet long it was twisted, bent and burnt. I could see the holes in it and the blackened charred paint chipping off. It curved through a lazy arc and came right towards me spinning end over end kind of like a giant ugly boomerang. It seemed to be moving so slowly but I was moving even slower. I could see it coming and I knew it was going to take my head right off my body. I didn’t even think to pray as it closed in, I was frozen with fear. And then impact. It hit the end of my .50, spun around into my bullet shield and deflected up over my head barely clipping the edge of my helmet. I was frozen for half a second, relief, joy and fear all mixed together rushed through me. My legs were weak. Someone was grabbing my leg asking if I was ok. I gave ‘em a thumbs up. My .50 was fucked. There was a giant gash in the end of the barrel and it wouldn’t fire. I started an immediate action drill without even thinking about it. I was on complete autopilot. All thinking had shut off and I was reduced to a completely animalistic state.

Suddenly I was engulfed in total blackness and heat enveloped my body like the burning of the sun. My head felt like it was being smashed apart from the inside. My eyes were open but I couldn’t see. Everything was completely silent not even the steady ringing in my ears I’d grown so used too. And then as if from far away I heard the primal screaming of a wounded animal. As I surrendered to the blackness I realized some of the screams were mine."

He's looking for some feedback. So let me know what you think and I'll be sure to pass it along to him. It is a work in progress. I can't wait to buy myself a copy.

Now that's moto.

2011-03-28T19:45:00.002-04:00

Pizza is one of my favorite foods. What goes with pizza? The couch does. This duo can also be transformed into a super trio with the addition of some awesome TV programming. You get me started on one of these elements and there I am vegetating into the living room couch. I can easily fall into this trap now that I’m a civilian. In the Marine Corps these elements were known as “motivation killers”.

How can I define what a motivation killer is? It’s pretty much anything that will cause you to be lazy. It is something that will entrap and keep you from working to the greater good of the team or for the pursuit of personal goals. For me another example is playing video games. When Halo came out I was all over it. Knowing this I had to sell my X-box in order to focus on more important things.

As our team pursues this goal for greater fitness and to express to the world about our armed service members, one thing we must keep is “moto”. It’s a slang term used in the Marines. It’s short for motivated. For example, “You just ran up that hill with all that gear on? Dude, you’re moto!” Or a Marine that exercises during time off, folds his or her clothes into his rucksack neatly ensures he or she has a regulation haircut every week, or always irons his or her uniform. That Marine would be considered “moto”. A Marine with a tattoo that is Marine Corps related would be called a “moto tattoo”. It is what a squared away Marine is.

Why is being moto important to us? Moto gets us out of bed early in the morning. You don’t have to but you do. You’re ready to charge at what the day holds for you. Moto makes us get our children prepared for school every morning. Moto made us clean our weapons every day in the Marines. Moto ensured we had the right gear packed for every mission. Moto made us plan our patrol routes and moto made us plan numerous alternate routes. Moto made us carry our brothers on our back if he was wounded.

Being moto would be nothing though if you did not care. Caring is the root of being motivated. If we cared about our goals, our children, our brothers and sisters fighting next to us, we then have the attitude to go above and beyond. That is the essence of being moto.

As we train for our events, moto makes us plan accordingly. Team Zombie is moto because they care about the cause. They do not stand back and lean against the walls just watching and waiting. Be moto and stay moto, take every ground you can take, and keep every inch of it. That is where you will have an advantage in all you do.

These are the lessons I have learned by being a service member. These lessons will go to waste if they are not shared. So if you’re feeling lazy, stagnant, insignificant or down and out. Get moto, there is more in you than you give yourself credit for.

Reveille!!! Reveille!!!

2011-03-22T23:32:00.004-04:00

If I asked you about what Charlie Sheen did recently, you probably would give me a well informed answer. The Kardashians, you probably have kept up with them. Maybe more than your own family.

What if I asked you, who was the Navy Seal who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. You would probably have no clue. Some of you probably think a Navy Seal is marine mammal and say "What the hell is it doing in Afghanistan?".

It just annoys me about the what makes news and what doesn't. There are so many untold stories out there that have not been told. Stories of honor, courage, and love of country. We may never hear them. That's the part that saddens me. These stories will do more for us spiritually than Charlie Sheen's drug crazed escapades. Who gives a damn he lost his job? You would lose your job if you did what he did.

My name is Joseph Zoleta. Formerly Corporal Zoleta from the United States Marine Corps. I was an infantry rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines (Oorah!). I served two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served my active duty time from 2002-2006. Since my return to the 1st Civ Div (Civilian World), I have had many feelings of coming back to "normalcy". As quickly and as much as I wanted my active duty time to end, I found it very difficult and still continue to do so. I imagine the difficulty service members have when they have been pulled from a battlefield on a stretcher only to wake elsewhere and find out you almost didn't make it. I imagine the feeling cannot be put in words. The emotion can not be expressed.

There is an organization out there though that is helping. The organization is called "The Wounded Warrior Project". It is a non-profit organization. Its purpose stated

To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.
To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

My mission is to help this organization succeed. This is my first time organizing something like this. But, when you're behind something with all your heart, there's no stopping you.

How? How am I going to help? What can little ol' me do that can make a difference? Doing something is better than doing nothing. I have taken the model of other great organizations, such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the American Heart Association, and wanted to be sponsored to participate in a sporting event. Not just any event, a triathlon. Not alone either, Marines work better as a team. Awareness and strength comes in numbers. So I have been recruiting and still am looking for any members to participate.

Why the name "Team Zombie"? A friend thought of it. Because we keep on coming. A zombie can fit into many analogies in life. Many will be reflected further on in this blog. It just fits! The name just fits!

I will be honest with you in that the idea of doing a triathlon snowballed into doing numerous triathlons. Numerous battles win a war, not just one. We are looking into participating in adventure races.

The first event we are participating in will be the Queens Biathlon on May 15th. It is a 3 mile run, 18 mile bike, and another 3 mile run to put a cherry on top. Let me tell you, I'm a paramedic. We are not the healthiest people out there. In other words this is not going to be a breeze for me. It is the path that draws me. Better myself, help my brothers and sisters is the personal game plan.

Stay tuned! There will be updates on how our training is going, personal stories from the battlefield. I will make sure you know these heroes names. You will learn their story and hopefully use it to learn about yourself.

Semper Fi and Retreat Hell