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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Aramark's Tony Struzik Raises Autism Awareness in Iraq


On April 22, News 10NBC highlighted former Aramark Director of Dining Services Tony Struzik in  the segment “Local soldier raises autism awareness in Iraq.” Because so many of us remember Tony, I thought you would be interested in reading the story below:

https://www.whec.com/article/stories/S421328.shtml?cat=566

Local soldier raises autism awareness in Iraq

Bombings and attacks, you hear the news each day coming out of Iraq, but you don't always hear about the good things happening there.

News 10NBC has the exclusive story with a local soldier and his work to raise awareness about autism while serving in Iraq.

Major Tony Struzik from the 479th Engineer Battalion is stationed in central Iraq near Baghdad. He's from Waterloo, New York. His unit is head quartered in Watertown. But while in Iraq this father of two did more than fight for our country.

He organized a 5K Fun Run to raise autism awareness. About 400 members of the military showed up Sunday morning to show their support.

Major Struzik has a 9-year-old son back here in upstate New York who has pervasive development disorder. It's a high functioning form on the autism spectrum. Major Struzik teared up when he spoke of his boy back home.

"Every accomplishment that my son has is just so much more heart warming," said Major Struzik. "And he's just the sweetest kid. Everything is just a little bit more special."

Major Struzik hopes to see his son again soon.

He's scheduled to return home from Iraq this summer.

Pat Storms
Campus Center
04/24/2008