Editor
On April 30, 2009 United States Marine Corp Staff Sgt. Mark Anthony Wojciechowski, also known as Tony Wojo, was killed in Iraq.
His memory, however, lives on in the scholarship that his mother, Teresa Dillinger, established in his name in 2010. This year, Dillinger is putting on the seventh annual Ridin’ for Wojo on Sept. 18, one of two annual fundraisers she holds for the scholarship, which has given out $31,000 so far.
Wojciechowski, a Glen Este High School graduate, wanted to be a Marine since he was 14. He joined when he was 17 and enlisted for infantry and security forces, although Dillinger knew he would be bored with that before long.
“He was very bright,” Dillinger said.
Wojciechowski, who picked up the nickname Wojo in the service, switched to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and was one of nine to graduate the training, of 45 who started in it. A man much older than Wojciechowski also in the course told Dillinger that without Wojciechowski he would not have graduated.
Dillinger describes her son as someone who wanted to do everything.
“He just loved life,” she said.
He had lots of friends and was a ladies man, Dillinger recalled. She also remembers how healthy her son was. When he was deployed he only asked her to send tuna and almonds.
When Wojciechowski was deployed in Japan, he once did a sweep of then first lady Laura Bush’s car, Dillinger said.
He received numerous awards during his time in the service, including a Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, two Iraq Campaign Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Wojciechowski was on his second deployment to Iraq when a bomb killed him at age 25.
Dillinger established the Remembering Marine SSGT Mark Anthony Wojciechowski (“Tony Wojo”) Scholarship, part of the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation, so that her son would not be forgotten.
“I needed to do something and I thought doing the scholarship was a good thing,” Dillinger said.
She has a reading about Wojciechowski, who disposed of 9,200 pounds of explosives and saved countless lives, that she shares at scholarship award ceremonies.
“Every time his name is mentioned or his picture is seen or his story is seen he lives on in the memories of family and friends,” Dillinger said.
Registration for this year’s ride begins at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 72, located in Mt. Carmel. Kickstands will go up around noon and the riders will go to Mt. Orab, stop for about 30 minutes and ride back. During the course of the ride they will ride past the Mt. Moriah Cemetery, where Wojciechowski is buried.
The riders will get back around 2:45 p.m. and eat, listen to live music and participate in various raffles, including a split the pot and a live auction. The event usually raises anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 for the scholarship, Dillinger said.
The ride costs $20 per biker, $25 if there is a passenger. People can also attend for $10 if they do not participate in the ride. Dillinger’s sister, Sue Newell, works for VoraVentures and they donate the money to pay for the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office to lead the ride and block some of the larger intersections.
She also organizes a spaghetti dinner at the American Legion Post 72 on the Saturday closest to Wojciechowski’s birthday on March 10. In 2017, that will be March 11. In the summer, Dillinger also works with Quaker Steak & Lube on their charity nights.
Dillinger appreciates all the support she has received, as the scholarship continues to grow.
“We can’t do this without the support of the community,” she said.
The first year, 2011, Dillinger awarded two scholarships for a total of $2,500. In 2016 she chose seven scholarship recipients who received a total of $8,000 in scholarships. Recipients are often from Clermont County high schools. The deadline for 2017 is April 30, and requirements can be found at www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org/wojoscholarshiprequirements.
Donation information can be found at www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org/make-a-donation.
For more information on Ridin’ for Wojo, email wojo4ever@yahoo.com or call 513-919-5528.