Friendship
Written by: Tony Mussari
Photographs by: Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

It takes a good soul to be a good friend, Anna Robertson-Brown

Throughout the Gettysburg Project, Tom Mazur hasTom_270 been a wonderful friend. He was there with great enthusiasm at the beginning, and he was there sharing the joy of accomplishment at the end.

During all the days and months in between, he was there working hard to guarantee the success of the project.

He composed music for the project.  He coordinated all of the logistics for the project in North Plainfield, New Jersey.  He set up the workshop for the students and he coordinated the in-service for teachers. He drove to Dallas to attend meetings, and he hosted our visits to North Plainfield.

No job was too big or too small for Tom. Every job was done with competence, care and good will.

He gave more than was expected to guarantee the success of the project. He gave willingly, enthuiastically and generously of his time, energy and talent.    

This is what I learned about friendship working with Tom during our Gettysburg Project:

A friend brings you up;

A friend is always available to help;

A friend shares your dreams;

A friend gives without expectation of return;

A friend offers support, and translates that offer into meaningful action;

A friend always goes the extra mile for you;

A friend reduces anxiety;

A friend lifts your spirits;

A friend keeps you focused;

A friend clarifies things you don’t understand;

A friend stands with you when everybody else walks away;

A friend is caring, kind and patient;

A friend stands behind you so he/she can always cover your back.

Joe Katz defined friendship with these words:

“Friends are part of the glue that holds life together.”

Tom Mazur is the glue that held the Gettysburg Project together.

When Coach Herb Brooks said these words to his Miracle team, he was describing Tom Mazur:

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

Thanks Tom for making the dream become a reality.

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tony.mussari@gmail.com