2011 VOLUME I OnHonoring Marines Point by Educating Their Children Patriots Visit Pebble Beach Foundation Alumna page 6 Endows Scholarship in AZ Leaders to Be Honored at Inaugural Dinner Memory of Marine Father page 7 page 3 The late Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth D. Seibert USMC (Ret) On Point Cover Story Letter from the President and Chairman Foundation Alumna Endows Scholarship in Memory of Marine Father Always Responding to Needs of Scholarship alumna Elizabeth Seibert Neikirk Marine Families and her mother, Claire Seibert Younkin, have established the Lt Colonel Kenneth D. Seibert The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation will celebrate its 49th birthday on Endowed Memorial Scholarship to honor May 28th. In the years since General Rockmore and a committed group of the memory of their father and husband in volunteers provided our very first scholarship, we have invested $60,000,000 perpetuity. Lt Colonel Seibert was a man in America’s future leaders by providing more than 25,000 higher education devoted to his family and the Marines – a scholarships to the sons and daughters of Marines. Although the very core of person of boundless energy who had a heart our mission addresses need-based support to Marine children whose parents for those less fortunate. have been killed or wounded in combat, have been honorably or medically discharged, or who are actively serving, we have been consistently responsive The relationship to the Marine Corps Margaret B. Davis to the evolving needs of Marine families. President and CEO Scholarship Foundation dates almost to the organization’s inception in 1962. Mrs. Neikirk After the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1982, the Scholarship was one of the Scholarship Foundation’s Foundation responded with educational support for the children of all service earliest recipients, a point not lost decades members lost during that tragedy. Following the terrorist attacks of September later. When Mrs. Neikirk was applying 11, 2001, the Scholarship Foundation established our Heroes Tribute program to Duke University in the late 1960s, she which provides up to $30,000 over four years to students whose Marine parent already had one sister in college and a brother has been killed in combat on or since 9/11. As the current conflicts continue following closely behind, which posed to take a tremendous toll on our Marine families, the Scholarship Foundation significant financial hurdles. That’s where is preparing to meet the critical needs of those students whose lives have been the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation forever changed by a parent’s combat injuries. stepped in and, along with part-time jobs and other financial aid, Mrs. Neikirk was To date we have raised 90% of our $50,000,000 American Patriots Campaign able to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from goal. We will be expanding that objective during 2011 to ensure that the General Robert Magnus Duke with a degree in Classical Studies. She families of wounded Marines – some of our nation’s greatest patriots – can be USMC (Ret) proclaims this achievement would not have Chairman assured that their children’s educational futures will be secure as we honor the been possible without the Marine Corps warriors’ sacrifice for American by taking care of their children. Scholarship Foundation. Thank you for your support in this effort. $50,000,000 Recognizing the responsibility to help others, We look forward to working with you as we $45,000,000 Mrs. Neikirk and her mother have established continue to Honor Marines by Educating $40,000,000 this scholarship and exemplify the fact that all Their Children. of us are obligated to those who came before $30,000,000 us. Through smiling eyes, Lt Colonel Seibert Semper Fidelis, would agree. $20,000,000 Jim and Elizabeth Neikirk were high school sweethearts who celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary last summer. They are pictured at Jim’s November 1969 Ring Figure at General Robert Magnus USMC (Ret) Margaret B. Davis $10,000,000 the Virginia Military Institute; their August 1971 wedding Chairman, Board of Directors President and CEO with Mrs. Neikirk’s parents, LtCol and Mrs. Kenneth D. Seibert USMC (Ret); and on New Year’s Eve 1997. 2 3 Heroes Tribute Student Profile Nationwide Representation (2010–2011 Academic Year) A Marine Corps Daughter Follows Her Parents’ Example Stephanie Villegas WA MT ND 18 7 2 From the beginning, I can remember my life, MN ME SD 20 VT 13 WI 3 OR ID 5 WY 29 MI NY and my family’s life, being based around the 23 10 NH 2 63 49 IA 14MA NE 15 Marine Corps. Born on April 11, 1992, on Camp 11 PA 24 IL IN OH 79 NJ CT RI NV UT CO 56 45 79 26 8 2 Lejeune, I was destined to have a life full of KS MO WV 13 9 32 15 34 DE MD KY 16 VA 6 27 moves and changes. We were just a small family, CA 15 39 105 OK TN NC AZ NM 11 AR 25 127 31 5 my mom, dad, brother and me, but extended by 9 SC MS AL GA 49 our Marine Corps family. 6 15 43 TX LA 65 7 On the day of September 11, 2001, the duty [my FL AK 103 father] felt to his country overpowered all others 2 Stephanie Villegas is the daughter … Sadly, his life was cut short on November 12, of MGySgt Enrique Villegas USMC HI Heroes Tribute scholarship 4 U.S. Virgin Islands recipient Victoria Iverson of Flower 2004, while working in close proximity to Fallujah. (1988-present). Her sisters, Mandie 1 Mound, Texas, is the daughter of and Heather, are also scholarship Armed Forces Overseas Sandra and Aaron Iverson. Her I was only 12 years old. It was from that point recipients. 7 father, Aaron, was a ten-year my life changed forever…. veteran Marine when he was killed in Iraq in November 2004. I am currently attending the University of North With this scholarship, I will be able to begin my studies at the University Texas in Denton and I will strive to do no less of California San Diego and continue fulfilling my dreams. This year I will than my absolute best in all that I do, as I have been taught by the be a freshman with a major declared in Religious Studies. The financial example my parents have set. assistance I have been awarded will allow me to complete a higher education Again, I cannot describe in words how thankful I am for this award. which is a requirement in order to gain entrance into a monastery. In College can be difficult enough … the amount of stress that’s lifted off order to fulfill my dreams - and join a religious order - I must have both my shoulders cannot be measured or put into words. There is a special a college degree and be free of debt or loans. Receiving this scholarship place in heaven for people like you and I pray you can continue this foundation for years and years to come. will help me to avoid taking out student loans and provide me with the capability to attend college. Sincerely, Once again, I wish to truly thank you. Your support in my education Victoria Iverson has opened countless24 possibilities2010 Yearbook for me … Our Commitment to Today’s Heroes Sincerely, Stephanie Villegas As of December 31, 2010, 482 children have lost their Marine or Navy Corpsmen parents in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Stephanie is pictured here with her father, The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s Heroes Tribute MGySgt Enrique Villegas USMC and her sisters, fellow scholarship recipients, program provides up to $30,000 over four years to all children Heather (l) and Mandie (r). of Marines – and the Navy Corpsmen who serve with them – who have been killed in combat on or since September 11, 2001. Please support our Heroes Tribute program by visiting our web site: www.mcsf.org. 4 5 Donor Spotlight Recent Events Veteran Marine Aviator Gives Flight to New Event Phoenix Scholarship Gala American Patriots Campaign member Joseph L. “Joe” Driscoll launched the Scholarship Governor Jan Brewer, Mayor Phil Foundation’s first ever golf tournament on the Gordon, and a distinguished committee of current and former Congressional famed links at Pebble Beach – called Patriots at leaders will honor the Navajo Code Pebble – on February 28, 2011. The event featured Talkers at the Arizona Scholarship a day of world-class golf for sponsors and guests, Dinner on April 30, 2011. These Marine as well as post-play auctions that raised more than Corps veterans changed the course of $350,000 for Marine Corps sons and daughters’ history by developing an unbreakable Navajo Code Talkers Bruce Halle, founder of Discount educational futures. marching in formation at Tire, and his brother Robert will code through which secret tactical Camp Pendleton, CA. receive the Semper Fidelis award. information was transmitted during A veteran Marine aviator, Captain Driscoll flew WWII. Their efforts exemplify the Spirit 534 combat missions during the Vietnam War and Above Self award which they will receive was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross that evening at the Westin Kierland before leaving active service. A corporate leader with Resort. Former Arizona Diamondback particular experience in the field of manufacturing, Luis Gonzalez, Korean War veteran Joe’s Marine Corps ties run deep as he is the son of Marines Bruce and Robert Halle and a World War II-era Marine pilot who flew Corsairs David McIntyre of TriWest Healthcare Alliance will also be honored for their in the South and Central Pacific. The elder Driscoll abiding commitment to Honor Marines also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Joe Driscoll joined the Scholarship Foundation at the by Educating Their Children.