Submitted by Joe McCourt
The 2018 Scotch Plains-Fanwood Memorial Day Parade was held on Monday, May 28, 2018. The theme of this year’s parade was ‘Remember and honor all those who sacrificed.’ Colonel Konstantine E. Zoganas USMCR was honored as Grand Marshal. Since 2017’s parade was cancelled due to inclement weather, last year’s parade marshals Ed Miller and Joe Nagy were also featured. A third, Alan Ebersole passed away since then, but was also remembered.
This year’s Grand Marshal, Colonel Konstantine E. Zoganas, graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 1987 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1990. Upon graduation from MCRD Parris Island he attended the Fire Direction Controlmen’s course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to Alpha Battery 1st Battalion, 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was selected for Officer Candidate School in 1992 and was commissioned on 10 April 1992. After graduation from The Basic School in December 1992 he attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
His company grade assignments began June 1993 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with 5th Battalion, 10th Marines. While assigned to Battery R, 5th Bn, 10th Marines he served as Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, Guns Platoon commander, Battery Executive Officer. He completed his FMF company grade assignment in 5th Bn, 10th Marines after one deployment with 26th MEU(SOC) with Battalion Landing Team 1/6 in support of Operation Deny Flight. He left active service in September 1995 and subsequently entered the Selective Marine Corps Reserve in March 1996, joining Battery G, 3d Battalion 14th Marines. His SMCR assignments included Fire Direction Officer and he commanded Battery G, 3d Bn, 14th Marines from October 1997 to September 1999.
Post battery command, he was assigned to the Peace-time War-time Support Team in West Trenton, New Jersey from October 1999 to 2000. In November 2000 he reported back to HQ Battery 3d Bn, 14th Marines serving initially as the Battalion Fire Direction Officer. As a field grade officer, he served as Operations and Executive Officer from November 2003 to May 2009. He executed one deployment to OIF in July 2006 to April 2007, serving as the Task Force Military Police Executive Officer for both 1st Bn and 3d Bn, 14th Marines.
Then LtCol Zoganas assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, from May 2009 to July 2011.
Following his battalion command assignment, Col Zoganas was reassigned to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program in Quantico, Virginia where he served as the detachment Operations Officer and subsequently the Chief of Staff from October 2013 to August 2017.
Col Zoganas is currently assigned to the National Defense University, Washington D.C., providing training and exercise support to the Center for Applied Strategic Learning.
Col Zoganas’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, SMCR Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
As a civilian Col Zoganas is currently employed as the Senior Vice President and Director of Information Technology for Lakeland Bank. He remains active in his local parish serving on several ministries and is an active member of UNICO and the Scotch Plains Italian American Club. Col Zoganas is married to the former Barbara Suriano of Scotch Plains, New Jersey. They have one son, Niko and currently reside in Scotch Plains.
(above) Colonel Konstantine E. Zoganas
