ABOUT THE CMZ FOUNDATION

All proceeds from the ZMan Challenge go to support the Christopher Michael Zimmerman Memorial Foundation, which provides athletic grants and scholarships to area youth. Community kids receive funds to participate in team sports such as baseball, softball, and basketball.

The Foundation assists in maintaining the “SSgt Z” Memorial Car, which was Chris’ “project car” while stationed at Camp LeJeune. Based on the notes that were found after Chris died, the 1992 Eagle Talon is being re-built to be “fast and loud”, and will have a unique custom painted exterior supporting Chris and all his USMC units. This car will travel to various venues to raise awareness of the Foundation's missions through participation in auto shows, parades, Armed Forces Day services, Memorial Day services, Veterans Day services, recruiting events, and many other activities. Photos will be posted as soon as the car is complete

For more information about Chris or the CMZ Memorial Foundation, visit the website at:
christophermichaelzimmermanmemorialfoundation.org

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SSGT CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN, USMC

Christopher Michael Zimmerman, SSgt, USMC, 28 years of age, of Round Rock, Texas, was killed on September 20, 2006 in Zaidon, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. SSgt Zimmerman was based in Fallujah, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Zimmerman and his team were ambushed while on a foot patrol. Zimmerman was killed during the fire-fight, after identifying the source of the enemy fire, while coming to the aid of one of his Marines.

One of Chris’ strongest attributes was that he truly cared for his Marines. He made himself available to mentor the younger Marines, and to help them as needed both professionally and personally. Chris made it a point to push them for excellence. He knew that it was his job, his duty, to prepare his Marines for combat, so that they would all come home.

Many of the Marines have made the comment that Chris was a “Marine’s Marine”. That would make Chris extremely proud, as he always had to be “the best of the best”. He was the best friend one could ever have, and as such, he is remembered by his friends from childhood and through his career as a man of honor and conviction. It is this legacy that the Christopher Michael Zimmerman Memorial Foundation carries forth, through involvement with the youth of our community, who are the future of our nation, with a reminder that “Freedom is Not Free”, and should never be taken for granted.

For more information about Chris or the CMZ foundation, visit their website at:
christophermichaelzimmermanmemorialfoundation.org

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ABOUT THE UT NROTC

The NROTC program at the University of Texas was established in 1940 to educate and train young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC scholarship program fulfills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

The NROTC unit at The University of Texas currently has around 90 midshipmen. This size enables our staff to give personal attention to each midshipman, from offering academic advice and tutoring to assistance in solving everyday problems. The size of our unit provides a wonderful environment for camaraderie and social interaction among the midshipmen and staff.

National NROTC Website         UT NROTC Website