CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the third consecutive year, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s Chicago Dinner for Children of the Severely Injured has raised more than $1,000,000 in support of the Scholarship Foundation’s Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program, which guarantees up to $30,000 in scholarships to all eligible children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have been severely wounded in combat.
More than 13,000 Marines have been wounded in action while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 400 have experienced major limb amputations. This grim reality has many Marine Corps families facing various challenges and financial worries. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation stands to help these families relieve the burden of not knowing how they will afford post-high school education for their children.
“Children of Marines have experienced war for 12 years straight now. The battle is just beginning for families of severely injured Marines,” said Margaret B. Davis, President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. “We make major, lasting commitments to each child in these cases by committing up to $30,000 for each child for post-high school training or education. Help us educate those raised on courage and commitment.”
The Scholarship Foundation provides need-based scholarships for college, university, and vocational/technical schools to the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen – active-duty, reserve, retired, or honorably discharged – giving particular attention to those whose parent has been wounded or killed in action. Established more than 50 years ago, the Scholarship Foundation has awarded over 30,000 scholarships, valued at over $80,000,000. In the current academic year, 2,040 students have received $6,600,000 in scholarship funding. Of those awardees, 84 are recipients of the Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Wounded.
At the October 8 dinner, General John M. Paxton, Jr., Assistant Commandant, United States Marine Corps, will be the military guest of honor. The evening’s emcee will be journalist and news anchor Bill Kurtis, a prior Marine reservist and the son of a Marine aviator. The dinner will welcome 25 wounded Marines and their families, thanks to a generous donation by American Airlines. Among the Marines and their families will be Corporal James O. Roos USMC (Ret.) of Littleton, Colorado, GySgt William T. Rosborough USMC (Ret.) of Hubert, North Carolina, and SgtMaj Patrick A. Wilkinson USMC (Ret.) of Temecula, California, all severely injured Marines whose children are currently enrolled in school with the financial support of the Chicago Dinner.
About the Foundation: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children. Since its inception, the Scholarship Foundation has provided more than 30,000 scholarships valued at over $80,000,000 to Marine Corps children whose parents have been killed or wounded in combat or have demonstrated financial need. For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation please visit http://www.mcsf.org/.
