By all accounts, Mark Vecchione was a typical all-American teen who occasionally liked to cut school to go fishing. He often joked that with high school extracurriculars, the club he belonged to most was the "Reserved Seat in the Principal's Office Club."
Mark's mother, Cynthia, remembers his love for Cape Cod's beaches as a mischievous boy with a big heart.
"He was a charmer. He was kind though too," says Cynthia.
Mark joined the Army in 2001 after finishing high school and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division out of Friedberg, Germany as a tank gunner. Mark gave his life in the service of others during his second deployment to Iraq on July 18th, 2006.
Cynthia continues to support the military through Cape Cod Cares for the Troops and has selected to support this organization with a Legacy Grant made possible through Dog Tag Brewing Foundation.
Each year, Cape Cod Cares for the Troops celebrates Mark's life with a fishing trip that bears his name. Given his love for fishing (sometimes made possible by his occasional absence from class), this is a remarkable opportunity to get involved and help celebrate Mark's life and commitment to our grateful nation.
The 6th annual "SGT Mark Vecchione Fishing Trip" takes place this year on August 20th. For information, visit the Cape Cod Cares for the Troops website.
Here's to you, Mark!
DOG TAG BREWING FOUNDATION
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Dog Tag Brewing Foundation is a combat Veteran-run nonprofit that partners with Gold Star Families to celebrate the lives of our nation's Fallen Warriors.
Interested in contributing to the Foundation's mission of supporting and enhancing Gold Star Family initiatives? Please take a moment and visit our Call to Action Page. Your support matters!
