Pamela Zembiec's Blog
June 16, 2014
The Trouble with Iraq
Some of you may already know that I was a featured guest on CNN’s New Day Show yesterday morning. Everyone has their opinions on the Iraq War…the reasons we went…the reasons we stayed…the reasons we left. I was taught at a very young age to always finish what you start. Our Marines and soldiers went to complete a mission, a mission set forth by their Commander in Chief. They believed in the mission and their goals were being achieved. I was married to a man who set foot on Iraqi soil along with his fellow Marines of 2/1 in March of 2004. During that time, battles were won and battles were lost. Men risked their lives to defend a country torn by terrorism and hate. Doug came home after 7 months of helping a tattered and torn nation and never lost hope…not…even…once. He traveled back to Iraq for three more visits and each time his reports were nothing but positive. Each time he went he saw big improvements in the Iraqi people and in the fight against terror. On May 10th, 2007, the last time I spoke to him, he was compelled to tell me one last thing before he hung up the phone and I quote his words in my book. “Babe, wait a minute! I have to tell you something before I go! We’re doing great work over here! The Iraqi people are awesome, and things are getting better. You should see what we’re doing!” That evening, he was killed. Why do I write this blog today? I write this because I want people to know that his death will never be in vain. He served his purpose, his duty and his calling. Our administration made a terrible mistake by pulling out of Iraq too soon…our men fought the battle over there to keep it out of our backyards. We are kidding ourselves if we think Iraq wasn’t important in the fight against terror…think again… I will never forget 9/11…will you? http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/15/iraq-war-widow-i100-percent-support-re-entering-iraq/ 
June 10, 2014
How do you say Happy Father’s Day?
Mother’s don’t typically give their children presents on Father’s Day. This year, I completed the best present that my daughter could receive, a book about her father. When she is ready and old enough to learn more about Doug as the “Father” she’ll have a glimpse of who the Man was behind the Marine. I wrote this book, Selfless Beyond Service, for many reasons, but the number one driving force was my daughter. What a daunting task to hold the burden of never knowing your dad! It’s the simple things in life that have hurt the most and have crossed my mind on a daily basis. I remember when Fallyn was four and she completed her first karate class. She looked like a replica of Doug as she practiced her karate stances and roundabout kicks. I wanted to pick up the phone and call him in heaven just to make sure he saw and heard his daughter on that day. Instead, I dialed Doug’s parents and shared my joy with them. Questions like..”who will take her to the father-daughter dance?” and “who will walk her down the aisle?” used to cross my mind almost everyday. But when I actually sat down and allowed myself to think about the father who Doug was for only one year, my heart sank (and still sinks) with the sadness and anger at what was taken from Fallyn. She will never know and experience his greatness from a daily life with him. Doug said it himself, “Become the greatest husband and father ever.” By writing this book, I have given her the gift of his life and how he loved her in the physical world. As Doug would always say, “there is nothing stronger than the written word.” Our combined words, as Father and Mother in this book will be passed on for generations to come.
Along with the gift of the written word, my daughter has been blessed with many other wonderful things. Being the widow of a man who believed in the “power of positive thinking”, I was almost propelled forward in my life soon after my experience with the karate session. It felt like Doug was trying to tell me, “Enough already!! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start living!!”
Before being propelled forward…(Let me step back a few years before the propulsion…) The first three years after his death, my primary focus was taking care of Fallyn and letting myself miss Doug. Fallyn had me, all of Doug’s friends, two grandmothers and two grandfathers. Two grandfathers! What a gift! My Dad, or “Pop”, was the major influence in my personal stage of becoming mentally tough. He was, after all, in the military and from german descent. He expected nothing but the best from me and all of my sisters. His attitude and determination taught us to never give up until you achieve greatness. His love for cooking and giving gifts were also passed on to all of us and his granddaughter has definitely benefited from all these things! Happy Father’s Day “Pop”!
Doug’s dad, or “Papa”, was Doug’s mentor, best friend and to Doug the man of all men. Their father-son bond was one that most will never experience in life. When Doug was unsure about something or needed an answer his first call was always to his dad. At first, during their conversation, his pace was fast and furious and as the phone call progressed, the pace slowed until Doug finally just stood by our big window overlooking the Severn River. I never asked who he was talking to because I already knew the answer. Happy Father’s Day “Papa”!
Now, let me get back to the propulsion…
I’m not sure what others believe in after we leave the physical world, but I believe Doug is in Heaven and his spirit continues to be in our lives. And with that being said, I knew Doug would want me to move forward in my life and L I V E. Everyone grieves in their own way. I took a few years to grieve hard. Don’t get me wrong, I still miss Doug E V E R Y D A Y. However, after a few years of being along and being a single mother, I decided it was time to listen to my voice and start dating again. In fact, one of Doug’s friends was the driving force in helping me move forward with my life. He said, “Pam pam you’re not getting any younger and Doug wouldn’t want you and Fallyn to be along the rest of your life.” It was the beginning of my “new life” and I was excited about getting out of my slump. I was ready and it was time. I deserved to be happy once again.
So…on this Father’s Day I want to also say Happy Father’s Day to one of the best dads I have ever met in my life…my “new life” partner, Eric. Thank you for your love, support and friendship. Thank you for loving Fallyn and I as we take on life’s new challenges together. Thank you for being man enough to handle the job of taking over where Doug left off.
And to all Fathers, I will leave you with these very special words from one son to his dad. If you pass these words on to your sons and daughters, our world will be that much better.
Principles My Father Taught Me
Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble, but self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. And take responsibility for your actions.
Major Douglas A. Zembiec
May 19, 2014
Please leave reviews of Selfless Beyond Service
For those who purchased their book from Amazon.com please do me a great favor by reviewing the book on their website. For those who did not, please feel free to post your comments and reviews on this blog. Thanks. In the meantime…I really miss the Blue Angels in Annapolis!
The Power of Positive Thinking
We all have been given struggles in life. It’s our attitude that makes us something or nothing. Major Doug Zembiec was born with a birth defect which was corrected by wearing a device called, the Denis Browne bar. His positive attitude lead him on a path of greatness…
May 14, 2014
The Top of the Rock
Most people only show us the surface of their personality…it’s only when we allow ourselves to become vulnerable do we truly discover our purpose in life…
Quote of the day…
“Everyone makes mistakes…it’s what you do with the mistake that matters most.”
Hello Readers!
Welcome to the official Selfless Beyond Service Blog page…please, please post your reviews and any questions you may have for me regarding the book! I will happy to answer! I have posted my author webpage for those who need ordering information.
