Scholarship Program

Meet our 2024 Scholarship Winners

PEYTON SAHLBERG

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

There is no greater honor, and no greater responsibility than experiencing the military lifestyle. Being a military dependent involves more opportunities than most children are granted, and being handed far more heartbreak than you think you can bear. As young as kindergarten, I became accustomed to the feeling of uncertainty, changing duty stations, houses, schools, and communities before I had enough time to finish putting the decorations up on the wall. My sacrifices can never compare to the ones my father has made, but my experiences have taught me to be grateful for the small comforts I have because of the people that have given everything.

Patriotism to me has changed over the years. As a young girl, it was loving your country, but as an 18 year old, it has become the respect and reverence for the people that fight for it. A couple weeks ago, I got the opportunity to speak in front of my 1,500-person high school about the military and its sacrifices. At the time, my dad had been deployed unexpectedly, so the speech I had prepared for the school was coming from a place of respect, but also out of a place of fear and vulnerability. I got to speak on what it means to hav to move and reshape my community, as well as the hardships of the exhausting routing of my dad deploying. At the end of the speech, my call to action was that the student’s would go beyond themselves and their politics to acknowledge the bravery that has given them the right to speak their beliefs. An excerpt from the speech is a follows:

“Where you see a flag, I see the cemeteries where people like my dad are left behind after fighting for the country we live in. Where you hear the Star-Spangled Banner at assemblies and sporting events, or the pledge of allegiance in school, I hear taps playing at the funerals of the soldiers who didn’t make it, wondering if mine is next. and where you watch people decide to stand or kneel for the flag, I see centuries worth of battles fought by people’s family, by my family, and I see my dad writing letters hoping he gets to mail them instead of his commander sending them with the rest of his belongings while he gets left behind in a war zone.

So, if you question whether it is worth your respect and your time, I suggest you question whether it’s your life you are willing to lay down. I hope on this day, you have the courage and humanity to remember the people who didn’t come home, the people who aren’t home, and the people who are waiting for the next set of orders.”

My father has been in the Army for 20 years and has deployed three times. Watching both my dad’s job in everyday life, as well as in times of crisis, has inspired me to use my education and career advocating for other military kids, helping them feel connected in a world where they are just trying to place their feet on the ground before they are sent elsewhere. Ultimately, my success would not be remotely the same had I not been a military child. While it was often more pain than I felt I could bear, it also granted me opportunities that I can only thank the military for.

DEANNIS ANGELES

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

In his Farewell Address of 1776, George Washington states, “The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations” (Washington, 1776). I believe in this well; I do not believe that we are born with patriotism but that it is shown through our experiences. my life has been a lineage of service members to my birth father, who served in the National Guard in the 101st Airborne Division. To my step-father who adopted me, at six years old, this is where I gained my understanding of patriotism. My grandfather served on his side in WW2 as a truck driver who delivered munitions to the front lines. His job initially was to mover potatoes, but he found himself finding a better purpose in serving on the front lines whit his comrades. His funeral inspired me, as the 21-gun salute went off, that there was a profound honor in the patriotism he delivered during his time in the World War. My uncle Ozzy also was drafted in the Korean War, where he served as a tank gunner during his time in the war. He was always a strong man, no matter the trauma that he faced over there that he would talk to my Stepdad about. This is where I learned that we never leave a brother alone. He always answered his calls at night with a bat in one hand and another with a glass, knowing that it would either be a fight or time to drink and talk through the night. My lineage inspired me, especially after watching the Twin Towers fall; I knew then that I wanted to join the fight like all the people before me: my dad, grandfather, and uncle. While only in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to join the war to save people as a medic. I wanted to say the lives of the heroes who were willing to risk their lives so that I could choose between chocolate milk and regular milk. Freedom is never free, and we could lose that at any point in time.

To discuss my story, I found myself trying to recreate myself, as I found myself homeless before I had joined the Air Force under a combat contract as a Pararescue man. Sadly, I lost one of the closest people I could during my 7th primary week. He was near because I was his team leader during in-processing. We always talked about going to a restaurant back home to have their biscuits. While I didn’t make it through in-doc, my depression didn’t have the best of me as I still had a spot to serve. My next downturn was when we lost another airman to suicide during my time at Sheppard Airfare. His name was Airman Wolf, and what bothered me the most was that when the cadre asked if any of us knew him no one could raise their hand. That’s when I knew patriotism was caring for my brothers and sisters. So, I became a mental health advocate; I also became a white rope to ensure that no matter what, I could be there for my fellow airmen. I still stay close to. my battle buddy in basic because, through her perseverance, I learned that anyone, female or make, can achieve the dedication we need to be patriots of our great nation. I have lost more airmen and friends that I have alive, and their memories will always be with me for me to become like my Dad. I will always answer that 3am call and have a bat in one hand and drink glass in the another because the last thing I would want is too lose another brother or sister from the depression that we find ourselves dealing with from the spoils of our deployment.

MATTHEW FANNIN

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

Embraced in my father’s arms, I held the dream of him staying home for the weekend. This did not come to fruition. I saw him walk through the front door dressed in his military uniform. This memory repeated as my father left for military training until it abruptly stopped. My father’s status changed when I was four. I knew the word Afghanistan, but never believed that was where my father would be for an entire year. I distinctly remember holding a little doll containing a picture of my father and me. I held it in bed and prayed I would see him the next day. That day finally came when I witnessed him walk out of the bowels off a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft which stood menacingly on the open tarmac.

My father’s initial deployment to Afghanistan taught me so much. I greatly appreciated what he had done by putting his life on the line for the citizens of a nation he had never seen. Though my home was not a military installation, the characteristics of soldiers were taught to me. I adopted my father’s leadership, courage, selflessness, and determination through his mentorship. Success in school seemed to come second nature to me and I attributed this to these traits. It laid a useful framework for me.

I took advantage of my father’s time back home. He was send to Iraq for a second deployment. I volunteered with an organization called Kids in Support of Soldiers (KISS). This organization sent packages with nonperishable food to deployed soldiers. At the time of my father’s deployment, KISS was in a grim state that involved a struggle to receive donations and a meaning of purpose. I wanted to use KISS as an outlet to stay in touch with my father yet found a larger purpose. I decided to provide all 150 service personnel deployed within my father’s army unit packages for all 12 months of their deployment. This effort cause a general increase in attendance and donations.

I joined the marching band after entering High School. I progressed through many leadership roles throughout all four years of high school to ultimately earn the privilege of leading the band as the drum major. I was given the privilege of playing “Taps” a day before Veterans Day. Failing to live up to the expectations of other playing this most recognizable bugle call haunted me for weeks. During the morning of my performance, my stress was relieved by a conversation with my dad. It seemed like time had flown that morning until my trumpet seemed to rise to my lips. The world had slowed down in an instant. The honor guard marched slowly, but gracefully toward the center, thus cueing my trumpet to sing the hallowed call. The notes flowed effortlessly from my trumpet. I knew my work had been completed after hearing the roar of the crowd which challenged that of the C-5 aircraft that dropped my father on the tarmac following his deployment.

Patriotism is not a trait that comes naturally to someone. It is a characteristic that forms from a love of something or someone. As I grew, I saw my father’s love for our country advance to me. Our country is not just a land mass with millions of people, it is a notion of freedom that must be preserved to secure a desirable future for future generations. The country must be led by those who show this love. If not, our founding father’s core beliefs will be undermined. this is what has been imprinted on me. You must be an advocate for what you love. It is not selfish to share this love since the benefits of our country are shared by every American citizen. I hope my efforts to support those who have protected the notions of our country express the patriotism that I have for our great nation.

LAURA LAMP

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

Patriotism is a foundational core of my heritage. Many family members have fought for our country and what they believed in, which is an inspiration to all.

We can trace acts of patriotism and service through all the major American conflicts, as far back as the American Revolution. Knowing that my family fought for this country since its beginning has inspired me to study, research, and create museums to teach the future about our patriotic past.

My family’s elders share stories, the wonderful ones and the hard ones, with each generation that comes along. My maternal grandfather is the last surviving sibling of the original eight in his family. As the years have gone by, he has explained our history to my aunts and uncles. Now my entire family shows my generation what our military legacy is made up of, helping us feel connected to our ancestors and their patriotic acts.

My Great grandfather James Paul Duke Sr. fought during World War 1 in Europe on the Western Front. He didn’t talk much about the sacrifices he mage, but after his death it was revealed the extent of what he experienced as an early 1900’s solider. He fought in trench warfare, volunteered to go into no man’s land and was mustard gassed while fighting a battle on France’s Millville Farm during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918. He returned to battle and fought until the was ended and he returned home a changed man in many ways.

Paul Sr. was one of the American troops who fought to end all wars yet had to send his oldest son James Paul Duke Jr. into World War 2. Paul Jr. sacrificed everything for the greater good and he is buried at Ardennes Military cemetery in Liege Belgium. As a part of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Operation market Garden, he survived the jump and fought in the initial battle before being injured and eventually succumbing to his injuries.

All my great grandfather’s sons went one to serve in the military. Nelson was a pilot during World War 2, the Berlin and Korean airlifts, and a CAT pilot in France Indochina for which he received the French Legion of Honor in 2005. David graduated from the Pensacola Naval Academy in 1952 and was commanding officer for the reserve training unit and Air Transport squadron. Richard served as 1st lieutenant, C.E. US Army. Thomas, my grandfather, joined the Navy upon graduation from GWU. He was a NAO in E2s and went on five cruises during his naval career. Some cruises were to the Mediterranean and some to the Western Pacific. My grandfather talks so much about his experiences, for himself, and past and future generations. He explains life on aircraft carriers, how the ships and planes work, traveling and sites he saw when in ports of call, losing pilot friends in the Vietnam war, and being away from family for months at a time.

I am also the daughter of a disabled Air Force Gulf War Veteran. My Dad served for five years in avionics and electronics here in America and overseas. Working on Special Operations Helicopters and Airplanes helped him gain carrier skills that put him where he is today.

Sometimes freedom isn’t free, and many sacrifices are made, my family is a great example of bravery and commitment to our country. Being connected to my family members that have served shows my generation how the family has been shaped by America and its military, their accomplishments and sacrifices give me a great feeling of pride and patriotism. My plan was to join the military after college, but I am now unable to do so. I will be majoring in Historic Preservation and Museum Studies, where I will be focusing on the American Revolution and Colonial American life. I’m hoping to work in Colonial Williamsburg to teach the future about their patriotic past.

ALIZ MARIE WARK

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

Patriotism to me means being faithful to one’s country. Throughout my life my family has served our country. My grandfather was a Vietnam veteran, and my dad was on USS Theodore Roosevelt serving our country. The memories that I remember more specifically was my mother serving as a Hospital Corpsman. My mother enlisted in the military before I was born and because of this I had to share my mother for many milestones. She missed birthdays and big events because she was serving our country. I knew my mother was helping others even at a young age. I missed her but I knew someone out there needed her a little more than me.

I have seen patriotism growing up through the eyes of my grandfather as a Vietnam veteran. The way he was so proud coming to my school and being honored on veteran’s day. I remember the smile on his face when I would present him with a picture I drew. On his funeral I was touched when they had his coffin draped with our American flag and the ceremonial 21 gun salute played to honor him. Another event that I was privileged to be in was my mother’s retirement ceremony. At the age of 13 I led the flag detail consisting of US Navy sailors during the reading of Old Glory. I remember being so nervous because I wanted my marching steps perfect and I held on to the flag so tightly.

These types of ceremonies have shaped my view on respect for our country and the value of being patriotic. Recent events over the years, seeing people disrespect our flag has saddened me. I hav had to stand up for this in school with some of my peers and have tried to make them understand the sacrifices military members have made in the sacrifice for our flag and country. My family has taught me to respect our flag, once after a hurricane, I made my mother stop our vehicle because I saw an American flag that had fallen to the ground with the flag pole. We recovered the flag and took it to the VFW for proper disposal. Unfortunately, many people my age do not have pride in their country and though I see some flaws in the way our government has been running, we thrive better than any other country.

Because of my family’s service to our country, I also plan to join in the U.S. Air Force as soon I graduate from Sam Houston State University with a degree in logistics and operations. I plan to travel the world and help people and gain stories of my own way of serving my country. I will be honest growing up, I pledged I would never jin the military, I was scared and I had seen how long my mom was gone and it didn’t appeal to me. Now that I am older, I understand her perspective and why she needed to serve. Which helped me discover I too wanted to join.

I want to do something meaningful and encouraging. Something that would keep me on my toes. In the military I can show my patriotism and help others and have a manful life by discovering new things, and new places. My family shaped my view as a strong America and to realize as President Reagan words “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” This is why I want to do my part, I need to be a part of and help keep building America for the better.

AURORA HAMEKA

What does Patriotism mean to you and how has your service (or your family members’ service) to the United States of America shaped your views?

My grandfather was a man of uncompromising integrity, patriotism, and valor. He gave all he could to his military service and instilled in my mother and myself that freedom does not come free. As Ronald Reagan said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on.” This is the legacy and responsibility he has given me.

I have a great legacy to fulfill and while I may not be able to fulfill that promise in the way that he did, it was because he made the brave decision to put on a uniform and take the oath to defend the constitution and America from all enemies foreign and domestic that I have the opportunity to even pen this essay to you today. His sacrifice and bravery are things that I think of every morning, as I drive to school in a country that is safe and one in which I can pursue a degree and occupation of my choosing. this is especially important to me as a woman in the United States. There are countries, some of which my grandfather fought in that do not give women that freedom, but with the sacrifices of men and women like him I am able to reach for my dream.

That is ultimately what America is all about. The freedom to dream and pursue those dreams, but everything comes at a price, and it is men like my grandfather that volunteer to proudly pay it. I cannot let his sacrifice and his love of country go by the wayside and die without a fight. My fight is continuing his call to be an active participant in our democracy by becoming a productive member of society who can help carry on the freedoms in which we all revel in today. I want to become a physician and that will be a hard road, but it is in his example that I pursue it. I may not be the best person to fly a plane or drive a tank, but I can help people and those people may be the ones who decide to take up the mantel and continue to protect us from the wolves that are constantly snarling at our door.

Our country takes many moving parts to function and thrive and while my grandfather knew it was his calling to be on the front lines in the defense of freedom, I see it as my calling to contribute to America not only by succeeding as a physician but continuing to instill that patriotism and fervor in a system that was a wild idea just 247 years ago, when Thomas Jefferson penned those words that we have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. It is that opportunity so enshrined in our declaration that I wish to partake, and it is people like my grandfather who have protected those words and the principles behind them. The fact that I am able to write this essay, especially so soon after his death, is my privilege because he decided to heed the call and protect something far greater than himself. He was a true American hero, and I only hope that by using the freedom he has so graciously provided me with his sacrifice, I can make him proud of my contributions to a better America.