Scholarship News- 2010

Call for Applications for Scholarship Grants: The Scholarship Foundation is currently accepting applications from candidates seeking 2010 scholarship grants in the amount of $1000 or more. Four or more scholarship grants will be awarded in 2010. All applications must reach the Foundation by the deadline date, May 1, 2010. Our Directors will determine awards in May, and scholarship/grants will be paid in June to the recipients’ accounts at the institutions of higher learning specified on their applications. Candidates can obtain the official application and instructions needed to complete their submissions at the Society website, www.3rdiv.org, or at the Foundation website, http://www.3idscholarshipfoundation.org, or by contacting Chairman Lynn Ball at 2010 Worcester Lane, Garland TX 75040, or at 972-495-1704. Applicants’ sponsors must be Regular Members or Direct Descendant Associate Members of the Society of the 3^rd Infantry Division. Soldiers of the Division may serve as their own sponsors. Please contact Lynn Ball with any questions you might have.

Those eligible to compete for scholarship grants include all Soldiers who served or are now serving with the 3^rd Infantry Division and their biological or adopted offspring, as well as the unmarried spouses of Soldiers killed in action or who died of their wounds while serving in combat with the 3^rd Infantry Division. Our program has been expanded to include graduate students. Remember, the deadline for entry is May 1, 2010.

Grants already Planned: In addition to the Scholarship Foundations’ direct awards, we already have two awards honoring individuals: “The Thomas W. Mason Old China Hand Legacy Award” and the “Terrence A. Smith Memorial Award Honoring Cpt. Raymond D. Hill, II.” The Thomas W. Mason Award is presented annually under our Legacy Program. An essay entitled “Rock of the Marne at the Tigris and Euphrates,” by our 2009 Legacy Award recipient, appears in this issue. Sadly, Thomas W. Mason passed away in September 2009, but his name and memory of his pride in his service with the 3^rd Infantry Division will live on into perpetuity. Terrence A. Smith’s award honors Cpt. Raymond D. Hill, II, who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 29, 2009. It is wonderful to remember our fallen heroes like Cpt. Hill in such a special and lasting way. We hope to have more such honors included in this year’s Scholarship Grant Program. Our brave Soldiers deserve all the recognition we can humbly provide.

Good News: In the December Watch, we announced the availability of several copies of Faces of War II: Red Dragon, the Second Round and requested that those wanting a copy of the book send the Foundation a suggested donation of $28.00. Since then, Dr. Bae Suk Lee, who was instrumental in obtaining the books for us, contacted the editor, Norman L. Strickbine, and explained that we might need more books. Mr. Strickbine said he would supply as many books as we need so please send us your orders. Faces of War II: Red Dragon, the Second Round is a hardback chronicle containing 468 pages featuring 190 profiles of the men and women who served during the Korean War. Along with these vignettes are hundreds of photographs, many published for the first time. Each profile begins with a photo of the individual featured, and his/her full name, serial number, nickname, MOS, birth date, hometown, and a list of medals and awards received. The profile continues with the individual’s background and experiences while serving in Korea. On each facing page are captioned photographs depicting events discussed in the profile. Included in the book are several action maps, memorials, and poems, as well as definitions of all abbreviations listed in the book; these enhance the summary of the actions during the Korean War. The remaining pages are filled with captioned photographs. It is a wonderful book to own. To order, make your check for $28.00 payable to the Foundation and send it to 2010 Worcester Lane Garland TX 75040. Enclosed with your book, you will receive a tax-certification letter for the amount donated.

Upcoming Programs: Our directors are currently in the process of developing our 2010 fundraising and Scholarship Grant programs. Last year we had many more applicants than our budget could serve. We hope, this year, to serve all deserving applicants. To do this, we need your help.

We have received many supportive comments about our 2009 raffle, and some donors have begun to send prizes for our next raffle. While no date has yet been set for another raffle, we have received Wayne Conley’s promise of a weapon, and we are looking into obtaining other weapons for a future raffle. Kathy Daddato has delivered a handmade, queen-size quilt featuring The Patch, and Paul Schewene sent two, author-signed copies of Newport: The Sin City Years, which includes information about the 7^th Infantry Regiment stationed at Newport, Kentucky, in 1808. We appreciate this support and will let everyone know our decision regarding a future raffle as soon as possible. Currently, we are working on our fundraising programs to support our 2010 awards. The Scholarship Foundation is chartered by the I.R.S. as a Not-For-Profit Public Corporation, and our Directors are all volunteers who receive no payment for their services. This means that all contributions support the Foundation’s work.

2009 Awardees

                                                
Anita M. Syler                       Christine Buchwald                   Christine M. Nussio                             Yuliya Harris


                                    
 

To access Scholarship profiles for each set of recipients, click on any photo from the set.

2008 Scholarship Grant Recipients

The Society of the 3rd Infantry Division Scholarship Foundation, Inc. awarded 2008 scholarship grants in the amount of $1000 each to Kristin Costa, Bogota NJ; Christine M. Nussio, Dumphries VA; Ashleigh Roberts, Bells TX; Erin K. Willis, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Kurt A. Yaeger, Swampscott MA. Our 2008 judges, Tomas R. Maines, Jerome A. Manley, Marco Montoya, Whitney P. Mullen, and Lynn D. Ball, commend these five recipients chosen from a field of excellent candidates. The profiles following summarize our grant recipients’ unique excellence, and we thank the sponsors who nominated each candidate. We also extend our special thanks to our donors who made these grants possible.

Kristin Costa, sponsored by her paternal grandfather, Alfred Costa, is the recipient of the
“Thomas W. Mason Old China Hand” award, endowed by Mr. Mason. Miss Costa is a sophomore at The University of Delaware where she is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. She entered the university with a high grade point average while taking honors classes and has maintained her scholastic standing throughout her freshman year. Miss Costa’s community service includes volunteer work at St. Joseph’s High School, Bergen County Animal Shelter, and participation in the programs of the “Community Service Committee.” She holds several “Academic Achievement” awards and is listed as an English and History Honors Student.

Extracurricular activities include serving as Captain in retreat organization, and participation in high school Student Council and swim team. Additionally, Miss Costa holds varsity letters for two years participation in basketball. Throughout high school, Miss Costa held part-time jobs, and she earned a Knights of Columbus Scholarship. Her essay, entitled “The Distinction of the 3rd Infantry Division,” provides a brief and extremely accurate history of the Division and concludes with her grandfather’s pride in serving with the Division and her family’s pride when her grandfather, Alfred Costa, spoke at the Paterson, New Jersey, premier of “To Hell and Back” starring Audie Murphy.


Christine M. Nussio, sponsored by her father, LTC Ricky J. Nussio, is the recipient of the “Thomas W. Mason Old China Hand” award, endowed by Mr. Mason. Miss Nussio is a freshman at Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia, where she majors in courses supportive of her goals as a historian. Miss Nussio scored in the top 1% of all graduating seniors in 2008 through the National Merit Scholars program. Through Kolbe Academy, she won honors in theology, history, literature, and English, and she earned a “Presidential Active Lifestyle Award” and multiple awards from “Fort Knox Catholic Community.” Further, she is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Miss Nussio lists 21 extracurricular activities and community service credits, most of which involve tutoring (Latin and math), music, sports, and religious activities.

Additionally, she is the co-founder of the Teen’s Needle Club, and she volunteers at the Officers’, Spouses’, and Civilians’ Club. Miss Nussio’s essay entitled “Standing Firm throughout the Years” begins, “Down south in the swamplands of Georgia is an Army post called Fort Stewart. It is the official home of the toughest breed of soldiers, better known as the Dog Face Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division.” This excellent four-page historical summary, spanning the years from 1918 to the present, uses active adjectives to capture not only the historical facts but also the pride and commitment to duty of the soldiers of the Division. It ends with “Americans of all ages can be encouraged and thankful knowing the Rock of the Marne will always stand to defend their freedom, as long as there are ordinary American citizens ready to serve their country as heroes in the uniform of the Dog Face soldier.”


Ashleigh Roberts, sponsored by her maternal grandfather, Chester L. Ball, USA Ret., is a sophomore at Texas A&M University where she majors in Engineering. Miss Roberts completed her high school education with a very high grade point average and has maintained her scholastic standing throughout her freshman year in college. In sports, she held the title of Co-Captain in varsity cross-country, basketball, and volleyball. She served as treasurer of Marching Band, and holds leadership roles in Youth Group at her church. There she also participates in organizations such as Choir, Angel Food Ministries, and Church Christmas Play. She is a member of Beta Club, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and is listed as an “Elite All-American Cheerleader.”

Her essay, entitled “The Importance of Setting Goals in Life. . . ,” begins “In today’s society the world is based upon setting and achieving goals.” It moves from the goals our parents instill in us as small children, through the indecision of the teen years, to the realization that as adults we are responsible for setting our own goals and ensuring that they are both measurable and achievable.” The essay ends with one’s feeling of accomplishment when goals, large and small, are met. This, Miss Roberts believes, sets an example for others to follow.


Erin K. Willis, sponsored by her mother, SFC Sonya K. Willis, is the recipient of the
“Thomas W. Mason Old China Hand” award, endowed by Mr. Mason. Miss Willis is a sophomore at Kennesaw State University where she is majoring in early childhood education. She entered the university with a 4.0 grade point average and has maintained her scholastic standing. A few of Miss Willis’ many accomplishments include Community Service through church and sports leadership activities, math tutoring, and assistance with Senior Olympics (in the U.S. and Japan) and church-sponsored local blood drives. Extracurricular activities include soccer referee and coach, church choir member, and high school student aid. Miss Willis holds memberships in Phi Eta Sigma (the American freshmen honor society), soccer team, swim team, art club, and more.

Her essay, entitled “American Patriotism,” begins “On September 11, 2001, outside forces determined to destroy us attacked the United States.” Miss Willis’s essay dramatically summarizes the event and marvels at the demonstration of American patriotism she witnessed in the days, weeks, and months following. She provides an extended definition of “being an America,” in which she expresses her opinion that American patriotism has less to do with where one was born than it has to do with freedom from prejudice and support of America, her people, and her direction. As one frame of reference, Miss Willis recounts what she observed about the meaning of freedom while reading Woman at Point Zero. As Miss Willis’s essay closes, she reminds us: “America is, if not the only country, a country where freedoms are granted so that people can achieve their ultimate potential in life.”


Kurt A. Yaeger, sponsored by his maternal grandfather, Charles M. Lamlein, is the recipient of the “Whitney P. Mullen Award,” presented in honor of the soldiers of the 15th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division, past and present. Mr. Yaeger is a sophomore at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, where he is majoring in medicine. He entered college as an honor student and has maintained his high GPA. He lists an astounding number of credits in academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, athletics, and part-time employment. He is listed as an Advanced Placement Scholar and has received the Stimson Marine Corps Scholarship for Outstanding Public Service and the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship. Mr. Yaeger was selected as the representative of his high school at a symposium in Boston on “Current Genocides in the World.” Further, he attended a meeting in Washington D. C., where he participated in discussion with national leaders concerning genocide in Darfur. Mr. Yaeger serves as a member of the music committee for a weekly program aired on WJRH Lafayette College Radio, and he has organized service projects to benefit Tsunami (2005) and Hurricane Katrina (2006) victims. He served on the high school newspaper as staff and Arts Section writer. Additionally, Mr. Yeager has participated in many medical volunteer capacities including operating room assistance. In sports, Yaeger served as Captain of his Varsity Cross Country Team and as midfield attack in Varsity Lacrosse.

His essay, simply entitled “Essay,” discusses what he has learned from reading such authors as Steven Ambrose and David McCollough—that there is a “common thread” among brave soldiers showing that “they all strive to uphold their honor and patriotism even in the face of grave danger.” Yaeger has tried to model his life “around the core values that military personnel exhibit during times of war.” He relates fond memories of conversations he with his grandfather, Charles “Pops” Lamlein, and attributes his love of the uniform to his early experiences of feeling like a hero when he “wore” his grandfather’s 1950s vintage Army uniform. This, he says, was a large motivator in his joining the Boy Scouts of America and later becoming an Eagle Scout. “Those in uniform” he believes “are the country’s true heroes.” Taking a step further, Yeager’s deep patriotism has led him to what he hopes will be a life of service to the human race as a physician. He ends his essay with “I am confident that my ideals, inspired by our country’s veterans, will carry me through.”

Scholarship Foundation News
September 2008 Edition

The Society of the 3rd Infantry Division Scholarship Foundation, Inc. has completed its 2008 awards of five scholarship grants to very deserving young people of the Division and is now accepting grant applications for 2009. It is time for all sponsors (parents, grandparents, and great grandparents) affiliated with the 3rd Infantry Division to urge our children of the Division to submit their applications. Applications are available from Lynn Ball (see page 2 for addressing information) or from the Society website at www.3rdiv.org. Soldiers of the Division are also eligible candidates. The deadline for receipt of applications is May 1, 2009.

In parallel with our requests to receive 2009 applications are the Foundation’s advertising and fund-raising programs. This year, we will escalate our advertising in an effort to involve more young people in our Scholarship Grant Program and more contributors in our Fund-raising Program. We commend Dr. Bae Suk and Miyong Lee for their generous, 3rd annual, Platinum-level gift, and Audie Murphy Outpost #35 members for their early support of a Gold donation to our Fund-raising Program. We also thank Trans Atlantic Underwriters, Inc. for their generous fourth annual, Platinum-level gift, and Thomas R. Maines for his fourth-annual Platinum-level donation in memory of SFC Ralph E, Rickenbacher, "American Soldier." In 2009, one scholarship will be presented in honor of SFC Rickenbacher. Tom served with Rick in Korea in 1950-51.

We urge donors to take advantage of past and present employers’ Matching Gifts Programs. Most Matching Gifts Programs double or triple donations contributed by past and present employees. For more information on Matching Gifts or for sending contributions, please contact Lynn Ball, 2010 Worcester Lane, Garland TX 75040 or 972-495-1704. We thank all those who have supported our efforts to help our young people with the ever-increasing cost of higher education. Following are the names of donors who have contributed to our Fund-raising Program since publication of the August Watch.

Legend: Platinum ($1000-$4999); Gold ($500-$999); Silver ($100-$499); Bronze ($1-$99)

Platinum
Dr. Bae Suk and Miyong Lee
Thomas R. Maines
Trans America Underwriters, Inc.

Gold
Audie Murphy Outpost #35 members
Peter G. and Alice A. Caraberis

Silver
Joseph W. Ball
Dr. Marinus and Kay Flux
Gen. Maurice W. Kendall
Charles M. and Helen Lamlein
John C. and Betty Martin
Gen. Charles M. and Eileen Murray
Major Stephen W. Thrasher

Bronze
Joseph W. and Lynn Ball
James S. and Pia Blackwell
Thomas J. Brazier
Pietro and Marie Buongiorno
Donald L. and Alberta Childs
George F. Cicci Jr.
Wayne S. and Patricia Conley
James L. and Cora Fields
Philip and Cheryl Fotia
William L. Gardner Jr.
James L. Gray Sr.
Douglas and Evelyn L. Hardy
Patrick and Stephanie Kane
Matthew A. Lukow
BG John W. and Kelly Peabody
Willis C. Royall Jr.
Justin D. Valle
John and Adriana Van Der Wiele