Last week’s vigil and funeral service for Nicholas Ziolkowski wasn’t about his untimely death in a far away war.
It was an affirmation of life and a prayer for peace.
Approximately 150 community members lit candles on Newell Field to remember Ziolkowski, who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on Sunday, Nov. 14. On Wednesday several hundred mourners gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for a funeral service.
Ziolkowski, 22, lived in Towson and planned to enroll at TU next fall.
His mother, Tracy Miller, plans to return to work at Towson today. She is the University’s director of retention and the National Student Exchange, and serves as a part-time faculty member for the English department.
“Nick used to say, back in middle school, that he would live in the Residence Tower when he came here, but he promised he would come home for dinner every night,” Miller recalled during her remarks at the vigil.
On Wednesday the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer overflowed with friends and loved ones. Rev. Paul Collinson-Streng, the Lutheran Campus Pastor at Towson University, offered the homily.
“We give thanks for Nick’s desire to make peace...to make the world a better place, even as we mourn our loss,” Collinson-Streng’s prepared remarks said. “Even if divided in our thoughts about the Iraq war, we are united in our support for our soldiers, and in honoring Nick for his selfless and heroic acts, in life and in death...We remember the soldier, and also the son, brother and man.”
Miller said she was grateful that the community had “wrapped its arms” around her family.
“I have been just so overwhelmed, in a good way, by the outpouring of love and support, for me as well as for Nick,” she said.
Light rain did not deter community members from attending Monday’s vigil. Jennifer Gordon, director of programs for the office of diversity resources, said she was heartened by the turnout.
“It was really nice to see all the people who came out,” she said. “There were students, there were alumni, there were faculty and staff. It’s really nice to have such a supportive campus.”
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger said he would never forget Ziolkowski’s contribution.
“It takes a special person to sacrifice their life for their country. We must acknowledge the contribution our young men and women are making over there,” he said.
District 42 Senator James Brochin, an adjunct professor at Towson, echoed those sentiments.
“Nick gave his life for what he believed in,” Brochin said. “I’ll never forget that.”
Several of the speakers at the vigil voiced their opposition to the current conflict in Iraq, during their remembrance of Ziolkowski.
“This is a war that I don’t really understand,” Brochin said. “I don’t think I ever will.”
One attendee carried a sign that read “War is not the answer,” while several speakers offered prayers for peace.
Political ideologies aside, the participants respected Ziolkowski’s courage and Miller recalled why her son decided to join the Marines.
“He said ‘Mom, look around you. This is so beautiful. I want to help preserve this for my children and grandchildren.' Well he won’t have any now,” she added.