Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Army Maj. Marie T. Rossi age 32 of Oradell, NJ.
KIA Mar. 1, 1991 Persian Gulf War
Maj. Rossi was the first women US Army combat commander to fly into battle.
After graduating from River Dell High School, in Oradell, NJ, she went to Dickinson College, where she graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She also took ROTC in college, and upon her graduation, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Entering the Army, she learned to fly helicopters, and by 1991, she was commanding Company B of the Second Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 18th Aviation Brigade, a CH-47D Chinook helicopter company. When the Gulf War broke out, she was deployed to Saudi Arabia. Her unit was tasked to fly fuel and ammunition to the rapidly advancing 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, often dropping the fuel and ammunition supplies ahead of the advancing friendly forces, deep into enemy territory. She and her crew were killed when their helicopter flew into an unlighted microwave relay tower in bad weather at night, while returning to their base in Saudi Arabia.
In 1992, she was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.
She is buried in Section 8 of the Arlington National Cemetery.
We had a great 10.04 Mile walk. We headed down Sparta Hwy to Northside Drive. Got to see a beautiful sun rise this morning. We stopped to see the Buffalo and then headed to 127 where we headed north to the Interstate. We then headed to Elmore Road and back down Sparta Hwy. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today. I want to thank all who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero this morning. We had an amazing 280 honks.
Army Maj. Marie T. Rossi will not be forgotten.
NOTE: I want to thank Dave Kirk Cheverolet, and In-N-Out Discount Tobacco for flying our beautiful colors.
