It was a beautiful day at the Outrigger Canoe Club as we celebrated the recipients of the Richard T. Blount Scholarships and PFC JR Salvacion Memorial Scholarships. Mahalo to the families of these fallen heroes for helping the students thrive and achieve their dreams.
The Richard T. Blount Scholarship
This scholarship was created in 2020 by the Richard T. Blount Educational Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial support to the higher education pursuits of individuals affiliated with the United States Military.
Richard Blount, a former military pilot raised on a farm in rural Kansas, felt that the combination of his experience in the service and an education inspired him to expand his horizons and pursue his dream to see the world. After his military service, he because a commercial pilot and achieved that dream; he also met his future wife, Leslie.
Before his death, Richard and Leslie shared that they both felt indebted to the United States military for the opportunities it afforded them. The Blounts consider persons affiliated with the military their extended family and they wish to give back and help fund the academic journeys of those who, like Richard, wish to enrich their futures and fulfill their dreams through higher education.
Private First Class JR Salvacion Memorial Scholarship
Private First Class JR Salvacion was killed in action on 21 Feb 2010 in Senjaray, Afghanistan, while serving as an infantryman in the 4th Infantry Division. His awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal. He is survived by his wife, Joy, his son, ZJ, his mother, Mila and his sister, Richelle. JR was posthumously awarded United States citizenship. More than 400 people attended his memorial service.
The Private First Class JR Salvacion Memorial Scholarship has been awarded each year since 2016 with 43 recipients receiving more than $100,000.
The Wounded Warrior Scholarship Presentation Luncheon was coordinated by WWO Board Member Matt McCarville with the generous support of the Outrigger Canoe Club and many program sponsors.
The Outrigger Canoe Club provided the perfect backdrop for the luncheon.
L to R: Matt McCarville, WWO Board Member and coordinator of the scholarship program; Janelle Duca, Candace Bagay; Brandy Williams, mother of recipient Monica Dela Cruz-Williams; Rachel Suerth, mother of recipient Kailer Suerth; Kyson James-Foree; Aaron Bautisa; Dick Rankin, WWO President.
Chelsea Briggs, former Salvacion Scholarship recipient, gave a very touching and inspirational speech. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate.
WWO President Dick Rankin with Tyler Roukema, General Manager of Outrigger Canoe Club and WWO Board Member; Tim Johnson, WWO Board Member
Leslie Blount (c) presented Aaron Bautisa a scholarship on behalf of the Richard T. Blount Educational Foundation. He is shown here with Dick Rankin of WWO and his parents.
Kyson James-Foree also received a scholarship from The Richard T. Blount Educational Foundation from Leslie Blount.
Recipients of the Private First Class JR Salvacion Memorial Scholarship, met with the family of PFC JR Salvacion and other Gold Star families.
