The Redstone Arsenal Military and Civilians Club, in partnership with the Military Officers Association of America’s Huntsville chapter, has awarded $31,000 in scholarships and merit awards to students and community grants to local organizations.
“Thank you for giving back to the community,” Maj. Gen. Tom O’Connor, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command, said to the organizations that were recognized May 14 at the Awards Night ceremony at The Summit. “Thank you for making a difference in the lives of many, thank you for making a difference in the lives of military families that live here,”
Speaking to the students receiving scholarships and merit awards, he said: “Thank you for the difference you’re going to make in the world.”
RSAMCC President Melinda Dellert said the community assistance grants reflect the purposes of the organization – to provide educational, cultural and recreation activities, to promote social welfare and support community activities and to support the military and military community.
Cecily Hill, the community assistance grants chair, said $5,500 in grants were given to nine local organizations that provide services, events or programs that support, honor or promote the military, veterans, Department of Defense civilians and their families.
“The needs of our community are great, and we are honored to be able to give back to the organizations that are helping to meet these needs and that promote service to our country,” she said.
The RSAMCC community assistance grants were presented to:
· Bob Jones High School Air Force JROTC, $800, to buy new equipment to present ceremonial honors at local military events.
· Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School, $250, to help with its Military Family Welcome Event for new and returning military families.
· Madison City Schools’ Student 2 Student program, a peer-led, student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service and ease transitions for military and DOD-connected families.
· Quilts of Valor, $750, to buy fabric and sewing supplies for volunteers to create quilts that are awarded to active-duty service members and veterans who have been affected by war.
· Redstone Garden Club, $200, to help maintain the flowerbeds at the corner of Patton and Goss roads, Gate 8.
· Rocket City Wing Commemorative Air Force, $250, to provide two personal flights to Korean War veterans in a restored Korean War L-17 Warbird that flew operation missions during the war.
· Rocket City Young Marines, $750, for the annual Young Marines Birthday Ball at The Summit in October. The event exposes the Young Marines to military customs and courtesies.
· Sparkman High School JROTC, $800, to supply cadets with equipment and uniforms needed to represent the school and the program at ceremonial events.
· Still Serving Veterans, $1,500, for the Veterans Resource Connection, a program that provides emergency monetary support to veterans and their families when they experience a financial crisis. The program has helped prevent veterans from being evicted or losing utilities and has helped homeless veterans transition into housing.
The MOAA Huntsville chapter presented Military Community Scholarships to:
· Hannah Baker, $2,000, 2024 Madison Academy graduate who will major in biochemistry at Auburn University.
· Aidan Cassidy, $3,000, a 2024 Sparkman High graduate who will major in nursing at Auburn University.
· Ashlyn Diehl, $4,000 a 2024 James Clemens High graduate who will major in architecture at Auburn University.
· Kaley Gilman, $3,000, a 2024 James Clemens High graduate who will major in nursing at the University of Central Florida.
· Christina McCord, $4,000, a rising senior at Syracuse University who is majoring in social work.
· Lorelei Mueller, $2,000, a 2024 James Clemens High graduate who will major in anthropology at Auburn University.
Erica Lewis, chair of the RSAMCC merit awards, read excerpts from the essays submitted by the award recipients. The awards went to:
· Katharina Berger, $1,000, a 2024 James Clemens High graduate who will major in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
· Madison Campbell, $1,000, a 2024 James Clemens High graduate who will major in aerospace engineering at Auburn University.
· Logan Jackson, $1,000 a 2024 Bob Jones High graduate who will major in operation management at the University of Alabama.
· Gabriel Joly, $2,500, a 2024 Bob Jones High graduate who will major in computer science at Virginia Tech.
· Langley Upton, $2,000, a rising sophomore at Illinois Wesleyan University who is majoring in elementary education.
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