This Saturday, April 17th, we will have our yearly balloon launch for Chris. The time will be 2:00PM. In the morning there will be an 8:00AM mass at St. Catherine. Chris would have been 33. Miss you so much Chris. You will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!! We will be sending our love to you Chris with our balloons. Let me kn…ow if you plan to join us and how many time zones we will get this year 2010. Love, Mom
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends
David Ralston
Dear Chris,
“If tears could build a stairway
and memories build a lane
I’d walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again!”
Five years and so many tears….The pain never went away
and never will on losing you, one just learns to live with
the pain. We miss you so much Chris!
We will have a mass for Chris at 8:00AM at St. Catherine’s.
A light so bright, will never be extinguished……..
CHRIS, FOREVER LOVED
CHRIS, NEVER, EVER FORGOTTEN
Love, Mom
Sorry, change in the time of the balloon launch…
We will launch at 6:30PM on Friday, April 17th.
Hi Everyone,
Wow, where does time fly???
On Friday, April 17th, we will have our yearly balloon launch
for Chris’s 32nd birthday at 6:00PM. There will be a Mass for
Chris at 8:00AM at St. Catherine’s.
If you would like to join us, bring your balloons and the
launch time is 6:00PM.
Chris, we will be sending our love with each balloon and know
that you will Never be Forgotten.
Happy Birthday Chris,
Love, Mom
hey everyone….i know we are all feeling the same thought today….as our hearts swell and and eyes fill with tears….our smiles also grow as we think of our lost friend, brother, solider….chris……i know i have said it many times before…but in chris’ passing we are reminded of what a great honor it was to know him and to have someone like him in our lives….in talkiing with people, reading the posts on this site….and telling the story of chris….we are able to share with others the legend that was his life and we can then remember that we are blessed to have been part of it….we love you buddy….and miss you more than you can ever know….to all the soliders worldwide…past;present and future…thank you for your selfless sacrifice….to chris family and friends….we are all together today…in our moments of grief we are not alone…..so today on the 4th anniversary of chris’ passing….amongst the tears and sorrow…take time to remember the good times we were lucky enough to share with chris…..
marc and the hans family….
p.s. - quick funny story….it is an old tradition in my family that when you go visit someone at the cemetary you bring a rock instead of flowers….the legend goes that in old times…the flowers people would lay upon a headstone would get eaten or blown away by animals….but a rock would always remain…sooo….each time we visit chris we place a rock upon his headstone….last time we went i told my 2 year old son to find a rock to bring uncle chris….instead …he brought me a piece of chalk and demanded that we bring it!!! so000 today when you head over to chris’ site at the cemetary and to the memorial in glenview…if you see some blue chalk…that means the hans’ were there!!!!
Time flies by but there isn’t a day that Sgt Zimny dosen’t cross my mind he tought me so much during the months I had the privaledge to serve next to him. It was my first deployment it was hard being away from home but being with Sgt Zimny I never thought about it I looked up to him like the older brother I never had. The day we got the news that I felt like my heart was ripped out my chest if it wasn’t for SSgt Litton and Sgt Curtis I don’t know what i would of done I felt as if it was my fault cause it was my seat that Sgt Zimny road on during the patrol but being the man that he was he didn’t let me go on the patrol cause we where leaving soon and it was the last patrol. Cause of Sgt Zimny I re enlisted and cause of him Im here today. He lives in me and all the young Marines he influenced during are tours of duty he will never be forgotten. In my eyes he’s the Marine that all Marines strive to be like.
Love You and miss you Dearly
Cpl Catsro, Erick
This is Matthew Litton I served with Chris and I was one of his senior Marines the loss was one of the worst losses I have every felt and I think of him everyday that goes by and now that it is getting closer to the day that we lost him it is harder to think of him and more painful I miss him he was a great guy.
On 1/31/09, it will be 4 years since we lost Chris.
On 1/31 we will have a mass for Chris at 8:00AM at
St. Catherine Labourne.
Dear Chris,
4 years….4 years ago I lost you
4 years ago a part of my heart left with you
Oh Chris, how I miss your smile and that
crazy laugh
Everyday you are with me
I have days of tears
I have days of smiles, remembering some funny times
we shared together, Taco Bell, Pickups in the
early morning
Chris, as long as our hearts beat, you will always
be here with us and Never Forgotten
Love You Forever Chris,
Mom
I never met Chris, but have come to know him through his friends and family. I made a documentary film about Chris’ platoon and their experiences in Iraq. I think of Chris often and I am grateful for who he is and the young men like him who give of themselves in a cause greater than each one of us individually. I have met a great number of service members in my film work, but Chris stands out to me. The name Chris Zimny is a sacred name in our home. When I mention his name, my wife and 4 sons know I’m speaking about a true hero.
I wish his family blessing this season and want them to know their son and brother is loved by many.
Hello Friends,
It’s been a long time since I shared, but time has a
way of slipping away.
Chris is with me everyday and some days are harder
than others, and some days are lighter than others.
A couple of weeks ago a memory was in my mind.
I pictured Chris sitting at home and Bobby was there
also. They were reliving a Mexican vacation and
Chris was laughing so hard. He learned his right leg
to the left side and was in this crunched position
laughing so hard. I smiled with this memory and
I cried thinking how I miss that laugh.
Holidays are always hard but Christmas especially.
My words, “Next year Christmas will be great,
Matthew will be walking and Chris will be home.”
I will have my red candle again this year. To
know that Chris is with us and that in his short life
his light was so bright. (If you wish, please join me)
Chris, Forever Loved
Chris, Never Forgotten
Wishing EVERYONE a Blessed Merry Christmas
and the best of everything in the New Year.
Love, Mrs. Z
My name is Aram Jalili and it has been to long since I have heard the name Chris Zimny. For those that don’t know, Chris and I were best friends for several years of our youth and I am grateful for the love he gave me growing up. Basketball on the driveways, riding bikes, lighting fireworks, smashing coins on the train tracks, and causing mayhem was our specialty. His passing was a very difficult pill for me to swallow. I’ve always hoped that I would run into Chris now as a man so we can talk of our youth as boys. So many memories it would take me days to recall them all. Although it has been some time since his loss I would like to pay my respect to his family and friends. I will never forget his wonderful mother, father, brother, and sisters.
Chris holds his own place in my heart and will always be remembered…..
On Thursday, Sept. 11th at 6:30PM there will be an
unveiling of The Freedom Memorial in Gallery Park
at the Glenn, (corner of Patriot & Navy Blvds.) in
Glenview. The Memorial honors the past, present
and future generations of our men and women who
serve our country. It remembers all those who gave
their lives in the defense of our freedoms.
In addition to the unveiling of the statues, the donor
brick walkways will be displayed. The armed forces
will present and fly their service flags along with the
American flag.
The ceremony will include a military band and feature
guest speakers: Lieut. Gov. Pat Quinn, State Rep.
Susan Garrett and Village President Kerry Cummings.
Please join us and be part of a moving and unforgettable
ceremony. Hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Ted Zimny
My name is Ben Wilson. I had the opportunity of meeting a great man, brother, uncle, and soldier in 1994. By way of Thomas Papp, I met Christopher Zimny – The G-Town Patriot. Many BBQs, many late nights, a few waters, more road sodas, some arguments (I couldn’t run as fast as Chris = beat down central). Chris and I became friends quick and I thank him for that. Chris was willing to go the extra mile for the people, for anyone. So, on July 19th, 2008 I will race the 100th Chicago to Mackinac Race for Zimny. I think I’m going to bring him along for the ride. May the wind be at our back, peace find its way into the earth and sea, and rum be in our hands when we reach port. Thank you Chris, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to sail in America.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t think of Chris constantly. I was just making mix cds yesterday and had to include “Under the Tahitian Moon” in his honor. There are 100s of songs that we listened to, danced around like fools to, and shared life experiences to. If any of you get a chance, so the same sometime this weekend. I guarentee through the Doors, Beatles, Band of Gypsies, Dave, etc…..you all have AT LEAST one song that makes you think of Chris. Mix it up….it will make that car ride, party, or even just cleaning the house that much more enjoyable remembering the good times you shared with him through a simple mnemonic device.
I never thought it would happen, but I am in fact getting married this weekend. I didn’t think this would happen without him in attendance, I know he will be there with me. I have his laminated card that I still carry with me through most of my life. It will be tucked inside my tux pocket all day.
I miss you man.
Much love to the Zimny family.
I hope you are all doing well.
Hi Everyone,
We will have our balloon launch on Thursday,
April 17th, at 6:30PM. Chris would have been 31.
Bring your balloons and join us. If you cannot
make it to our home, please let me know that
you will be joining us. We will see how many
time zones we will have.
Happy Birthday Chris…We ALL MISS YOU!
We know that you will be with us in spirit.
Never Forgotten - Forever Loved
Mom
A LIGHT
THAT WAS SO
LOVED
WILL NEVER BE
EXTINGUISHED
Chris, you will never be forgotten!!
Hey, everyone it has been along time since I last talk to you all hope you all are doing good. It is three years now and everytime this time of year comes by the pain is still the same for me or even when I think of Chris. I am doing good here in Va teaching and all that only a year left in the Corps. How are the grandkids two heard there was another one coming into the family to some time ago so should be there already. I just wanted to say hi also to Mr. and Mrs. Z and two all the family and friends up there in the windy city.
Love, Matt Litton
On Thursday, January 31st, I will have a mass for Chris at
St. Catherine’s at 8:00AM.
It’s been 3 years since we lost Chris and I’m sitting here with
tears streaming down my face. Does it still hurt? Yes, it does.
Forgive me Chris for the tears, but I’m a mom who lost her son.
I miss your smile, that funny laugh of yours, and I miss the
time I was looking forward to spending with you.
Thanks Chris for the pink flowers on the plant. Before Christmas,
it was one pink flower and now the entire plant has bloomed with
pink flowers, always on your anniversary. Thanks for the mourning
dove, just sitting there on the deck looking at me. There are signs
and hoping for more when I need them, knowing that you are
watching over me.
Chris, you made such an impact in your 27 years and you will
never be forgotten and we will miss you.
On Chris’s anniversary, friends and family always stop by at
night, so if you want to stop by, the door is always open.
Being surrounded with people who knew and love Chris
and share the same feelings, always helps us.
CHRIS, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
CHRIS, YOU WILL BE FOREVER LOVED
LOVE, MOM
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008
I’m sitting here, starting another new year and thinking
about Chris. Christmas is over and I’m happy in a way.
It was good to be with family, but we all knew Chris was
not here with us.
I keep thinking about the plant the boys brought me the
first Mother’s Day without Chris. The plant usually blooms
around Chris’s anniversary, but this year one pink flower
bloomed a week before Christmas. I’m always looking
for signs that Chris leaves, because I know that he is
watching over me and doesn’t like me being sad.
New Year was one of Chris’s favorite holidays. He loved
to party and I still remember the card Chris sent to Lisa
“party like bro Chris would, because I can’t.”
Wishing everyone a Healthy, Peaceful, Happy New Year.
CHRIS, NEVER FORGOTTEN
CHRIS FOREVER LOVED
Love, Mrs. Z