Michael Eugene Zanella

Junior Vice Commander, Marine Corps, Navy

My name is Michael Zanella.  I was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and lived there for 25 years. I have been a 35 year resident of Columbus, Ohio.  I have served as the Chaplain and Service Officer and now the Junior Vice Commander for the VFW Tri-Community Post 4719 here in Gahanna.  I’m a member of the Marine Corps League, Detachment 508 "Belleau Wood” here in Gahanna where I serve as its Commandant.  I’m also a member of the American Legion and DAV. 

I joined the US Marine Corps after a year in the underground coalmines.  I’ve travelled to 37 countries and islands and was on 7 cruises.  I was an anti-tank guided missile man with the MOS 0351 and 0352. I was trained on the LAW (light anti-tank weapon), Multi-Shot, 106mm recoilless rifle, DRAGON and finally the TOW missile (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile).  I was a fire-control technician in the Navy.  I served 7 years in the military. 

I became a professional driver with over 4 million safe-miles in a tractor-trailer with no preventable accidents or driver error incidents.  I have driven limousines, trackless trolleys, Class A, B and C trucks including over-length, over-height and over-width.  I ended my tractor-trailer driving career with recognition for my accomplishments and a picture on the Wall of Fame at the TA/Petro Corporate Headquarters in Westlake, Ohio and my name on the TA Travel Center/Truck Stop in Hebron, Ohio.  Presently I’m working as a local delivery driving and am semi-retired.