1/20/2010 6:00:00 AM
Kingman grad honored as Hero at bowl game
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| DVID/Courtesy
Capt. Gary Grassi, Jr. a graduate of Kingman High School and Virginia Tech, teaches Iraqi kids some dance moves. Virginia Tech honored Grassi as Hokie Hero during December's Chick-fil-a Bowl in Atlanta. |
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| Virginia Tech/Courtesy
Grassi, shown here being honored at the Chick-fil-a Bowl, is currently stationed with the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq. |
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KINGMAN - Virginia Tech honored a local solider as Hokie Hero during December's Chick-fil-a Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Capt. Gary Grassi, Jr., a 1999 graduate of Kingman High School and a 2003 graduate of Virginia Tech, was one of two soldiers honored at the game. Grassi is currently serving his second deployment in the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Liberty in Iraq. Grassi and another solider from Cleveland were highlighted during the radio broadcast of the football game, on the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Web site and corps alumni Web site. The school has been honoring alumni of its Corps of Cadets program during sporting events since 2006.
Grassi is one of his unit's civil affairs officers. He and others in the unit not only try to keep the peace in Iraq, they also try to reach out to the people of Iraq by bringing them food, toys for the children, helping them secure clean water, medical assistance, apply for small business loans and more. The unit recently supplied kids with soccer balls and school supplies during Operation Kickball.
Gary and Polly Grassi, Grassi's parents, live in Kingman. Grassi and his wife live in Louisville, Ky.
"I'm very proud of him," Gary said. "He makes sure those communities (in Iraq) get what they need."
Gary is a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam; Grassi once told Gary that he was the inspiration for Grassi to join the Army. Gary tries to keep his son and the unit well stocked with treats and supplies for the Iraq kids. He credits The Mail Room on Stockton Hill Road for getting the packages to the troops in one piece.
Grassi will return to Kingman to visit his parents in June or July.
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Posted: Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Pat Zanin
Hi Gary!...Good to read about all the good things you are doing over there. Two of your second cousins have served in Iraq. Michael and David Zanin?..remember us? Tell your parents hi for me and contact me on Facebook.
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Article comment by:
Susie Gestrine
Great job Gary! It's good to hear you are doing well and it's great that your school takes the time to recognize all that you do!
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Article comment by:
mh
Way to go Capt. Grassi. Keep up the good work, you are truly a Hero.
Stay safe.
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