Zurzolo surprised with community award
Sam Zurzolo thought he was attending a veterans event Wednesday morning, but was surprised to learn the gathering was being held in his honor.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, awarded Zurzolo a Community Champion award for his long-standing service in both the military and Butler County community projects.
Zurzolo is the latest recipient of the award from the congressman, who has handed out the honor four times per year to members of his Congressional District since 2015.
“I'm astonished,” Zurzolo said. “It's a big shock to me.”
Zurzolo is a lifelong Butler County resident who serves as vice president of the Butler Township board of commissioners. He also has 30 years of U.S. Marine Corps service under his belt.
The award ceremony took place at Lyndora's American Legion Post 778.
Officials who came out to show their support for Zurzolo included the Butler Township commissioners, police administrators, the Butler County commissioners, Veterans Affairs officials, members of Kelly's staff and state representatives.Several members of Zurzolo's family also attended, and their presence was his first clue that something was up.After accepting the prize, Zurzolo explained to the crowd how he'd been asking friends about the nature of the day's event, adding that he was unable to get any explanation as to why he was urgently needed at the legion hall.“I said, 'What's going on?' Nobody's giving me any answers,” Zurzolo said.Zurzolo's wife, Bonnie Zurzolo, said she and others just kept telling him, “We don't know what's going on; we were just told to be there.”
“It wasn't easy keeping it from him for a week,” she said of the surprise. “I know he's just loving it.”One of his sons, Sam Zurzolo Jr., agreed. “It's well deserved,” Zurzolo Jr. said. “It's been a long time coming. He's done a lot for the community.”Kelly drew on Zurzolo's willingness to simply show up where he's told and start working.“There's a saying, 90 percent of life is showing up — because you show up, people know you care,” Kelly said. “Is there anything you haven't shown up for? I don't know another person who has the dedication you have.”Asked which community project he's most proud of, Zurzolo immediately described his role in bringing the purple playground to Alameda Park, as part of a Butler AM Rotary project.“I never, ever would've dreamed that this was coming into play,” Zurzolo said. “I'm humbled of the fact that so many other people deserve this, but they gave it to me.”
