Press Release

English Bill to Recognize Local Marine Sergeant Becomes Law  
 “Michael A. Marzano” VA Clinic Named in Mercer

Washington, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania has been named in honor of Greenville native, Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, said U.S. Rep. Phil English, (R-Pa.).

“Sergeant Marzano fought to protect American interests overseas and the very values of democracy and freedom that make us who we are. Giving the ultimate sacrifice, he served our country with honor and distinction,” said English the prime sponsor of the bill.  “Because of his bravery, patriotism and valiant effort to protect our homeland, it is only appropriate to name our local VA clinic in honor of Michael Marzano, our very own hometown hero.”

This Congress, English introduced H.R. 1594, legislation to name the Hermitage VA Clinic in honor of Sergeant Michael Marzano’s dedication and service to the nation.  H.R. 1594 was enacted into law on October 14, 2008.

Background
A native of Greenville, Pennsylvania, Michael Marzano graduated from Sharon High School in 1995, and went on to pursue his dream of becoming a Marine.  Marzano was initially denied entry into the U.S. Marine Corps because of a torn knee ligament that occurred in a high school wrestling tournament his senior year.  However, determined to fulfill his dream, Marzano re-applied to the U.S. Marine Corps until he was finally accepted four years later in 1999.  After serving on active duty until 2003, Marzano went on to attend Glendale Community College in Phoenix, Arizona and joined a local Marine Reserve unit.  In December 2004, Marzano volunteered for a tour of duty in Iraq and joined Ohio’s 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment of the 4th Marine Division.  Marzano departed for Iraq on March 1, 2005 and served honorably with the 3-35 Weapons Company working as a part of the Mobile Assault Platoon (MAP) 7.  On May 7, 2005, 28-year-old Sgt. Michael A. Marzano was killed by a suicide bomber while taking part in an offensive against insurgents in the city of Haditha, Al-Anbar Provinc, Iraq.  He was the first soldier from Mercer County to give his life in the Global War on Terror.

In October 2006, the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) opened a veterans’ outpatient clinic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.  Local veterans from Mercer County called on English to have the new clinic named in honor of Sgt. Marzano’s heroism. Mercer County veterans request was fulfilled when the president signed H.R. 1594 into law on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

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