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Freedom
Alliance
Scholarship Fund
Supporting the Children of America’s Military Heroes
Thank You For Your Continued Support
Dear Friends,
We are proud to work together to rally support for the Freedom Alliance
Scholarship Fund.
Through the generosity of thousands of great Americans, Freedom Alliance has
awarded $2.5 million in scholarships to hundreds of outstanding students — the
sons and daughters of America’s military heroes.
But our work is far from finished.
Many of freedom’s brave defenders, who have lost their lives fighting terrorism,
have left behind young children. In a few short years, they will begin their journey
for a college education. Through the continued generosity of patriotic Americans, the Freedom Alliance
Scholarship Fund will help these deserving young students, and remind them that their parents’ sacrifice will
never be forgotten by a grateful nation.
LtCol Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.)
Sean Hannity
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Helping the Children Our Heroes Have Left Behind
T
he Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors the bravery and dedication exhibited by Americans in our Armed
Forces, who have sacrificed life or limb, by providing educational scholarships to their children. Nearly 5,000
soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines have been killed in the War on Terror, leaving behind
thousands of children. For these youngsters, special moments in their lives — like winning their baseball games, ballet
recitals, good report cards, birthday parties, graduations and proms — are bittersweet because their fathers, or mothers,
have sacrificed their lives for our nation.
Additionally, thousands more members of our Armed Forces have become 100 percent permanently disabled from
injuries, and their families face difficult financial situations. Their children may be eligible for a Freedom Alliance
Scholarship, once they reach college age. Freedom Alliance has established a Scholarship Trust Fund to aid these
children, reminding them that their parents’ sacrifice will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.
Through the goodness and generosity of thousands of Americans, the
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund has awarded $2.5 million in scholarships,
which includes the children of the 17 sailors who were killed in the terrorist
attacks on the USS Cole in 2000 and the children of the 21 soldiers and
33 sailors killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Since awarding 55 student scholarships in 2002, the Freedom Alliance
Scholarship Fund has grown steadily every year and in 2008 awarded a
record 167 scholarships to deserving students. Students are eligible for a
Freedom Alliance Scholarship if they are the dependent child of an active
duty servicemember who was killed or became 100 percent permanently
disabled as a result of an operational mission or training accident, or who
A Record Year: Freedom Alliance awarded scholarships
to 167 recipients in 2008, including Natalie Comba of
is currently classified as a POW or MIA.
and Jonathan Brannon of Bethune-Cookman
Scholarships are renewable for a total of four years. For more information, UCLA
University in Florida.
please visit www.freedomalliance.org.
2 v About The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Supporting Military Families Across the Nation
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund helps the sons and daughters of America’s military heroes attain the dream of a
college education. The Scholarship Fund is a growing legacy, with many brothers and sisters receiving scholarships to attend
some of America’s finest colleges and universities. Below are a few of these siblings who share more than the drive to get a
college degree; each understands the sacrifice of their parent in the service of our country.
Stanford and Donna Thompson
Stanford and Donna Thompson of Decatur, Georgia, share a love and talent for music. Stanford
is a Trumpet Performance major at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. While at the Curtis Institute of Music, Stanford has had the opportunity to perform
at Carnegie Hall and in South Korea with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The Curtis Symphony
Orchestra was recently called “an orchestra that any city would be lucky to have” by the Philadelphia
Inquirer.
His younger sister, Donna, is a music major at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Though she is
only a freshman, Donna already has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Stanford and Donna’s father, Sergeant Willie Thompson, served in the United States Marine Corps
for nine years and is 100 percent permanently disabled as a result of his service to our country.
Donna said of her father, “My father’s pride for the Marine Corps has helped me to develop a deep
love for my country and a respect for all those who have served my country. I am proud of his
sacrifices, his patriotism as a result of those sacrifices and the education that those sacrifices gave
him. I hope to one day make my father as proud of me as I am of him.”
Bryce and Alyssa Hattamer
Making Dad Proud: Bryce Hattamer (right)
is already a college graduate while his sister,
Alyssa, is just beginning her collegiate journey.
Musical Duo: Stanford Thompson
performs at the 2008 Defender of
Freedom Award Dinner; his
sister, Donna, performs with the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Bryce and Alyssa Hattamer of Gwinn, Michigan, have both overcome a great
loss to become successful students. Alyssa is a Child Development major at Bay De
Noc Community College in Escanaba, Michigan. Her older brother, Bryce, a four-year
recipient of a Freedom Alliance Scholarship, graduated in 2008 with a degree in
Computer Science from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Following
graduation, Bryce began working for Akaio Software outside Seattle, Washington.
Bryce and Alyssa’s father, Army Staff Sergeant Stephen Hattamer, was killed in
action on Christmas Day 2003, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was
posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his bravery and
service to our country.
“My father’s service in the military makes me proud,” said Bryce. “He had the
great privilege and honor of serving our country. What greater responsibility could
there be? I am proud of him and I know he would be proud of my actions.”
Matthew and Danielle Gonzales
Matthew and Danielle Gonzales of Cave Creek, Arizona, have similar education
interests. Matt is a Business Management major at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village,
Nevada; while his older sister, Danielle, is majoring in Business Marketing at Seattle
University in Seattle, Washington.
Their father, Chief Petty Officer Pedro Gonzales, faithfully served his county in the U.S.
Navy for 19 years. In 2001, CPO Gonzales was killed in a helicopter crash during a mission
to recover the remains of deceased servicemembers.
“This scholarship will serve as a reminder of my father’s dedication and service for our
country,” says Danielle. “I am honored to be a chosen recipient of the Freedom Alliance
Scholarship…without it, I would not be able to attend Seattle University. I graciously
thank the members of the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund and all of their contributors.”
Branching Out: Hailing from Arizona,
Danielle Gonzales and her brother, Matthew,
attend schools in Washington and Nevada.
A Family Legacy v 3
A Living Memorial to A m
T he F reedom A lliance S cholarship F und h onors t hese b rave h eroe
h ave s acrificed l ife o r l imb i n d efense o f o ur c ountry , b y p ro
Army Chief Warrant Officer Chester
Troxel serving in Iraq. CW4 Troxel
was killed during Operation Iraqi
Freedom in 2006 when his Black
Hawk helicopter crashed. His son,
Hollis, is a Scholarship recipient.
Navy Commander Peter Schwab
holds his daughter, Jessica, who is now
a Scholarship recipient. CDR Schwab,
who served more than 20 years in
the Navy, was killed when his plane
crashed during a training exercise.
Jessica was only 11 years old when she
lost her father.
Marine Corporal John Utsinger is
the father of Scholarship recipient and
college graduate Aimee Utsinger, who
obtained her Bachelor’s degree from
Northwest Missouri State University.
Cpl Utsinger, who was only 21 years
old at the time, was killed in action.
M
arine First Lieutenant Richard
Armstrong holds his young daughter,
Cameron, who is now a Scholarship
recipient. 1stLt Armstrong died in
1993 due to service-related injuries.
Cameron was only four years old when
she lost her father. Those whose names are printed in black are deceased; those printed in red are Missing in Action and those printed in blue are 100
Corporal Richard Aitken, U.S. Marine Corps w Captain Timothy Alspach, U.S. Army w Senior Airman Sixto Aponte, U.S. Air Force w First Lieutenant Richa
Aston, U.S. Air Force w Staff Sergeant William Baltis, U.S. Army w Captain Matthew Bancroft, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant Paul Barclay, U.S. Army w La
Beck, U.S. Army w Sergeant Perry Benally, U.S. Army w Corporal Donald Bergom, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant First Class Bruce Berry, U.S. Army w Serge
Marine Corps w Sergeant First Class Michael Bower, U.S. Army w Petty Officer Ray Branham, U.S. Navy w Sergeant Homer Brannon, U.S. Army w Corporal Is
w Sergeant First Class Dorene Buckhanan, U.S. Army w Petty Officer Third Class Lawrence Burke, U.S. Navy w Corporal Donald Bryant, U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Charles Chase, Jr., U.S. Army w Airman First Class Barry Clark, U.S. Air Force w Specialist Johnny Cleveland, U.S. Army w Staff
Colbert, U.S. Air Force w Technical Sergeant Bryan Collins, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant John Comba, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant John Couch, U.S. Ar
Lieutenant Commander Richard Curley, U.S. Navy w Master Sergeant Vincent Cutino, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Robert Daniel, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant
w Sergeant Michael Dillion, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Eloy Dominguez, U.S. Air Force w Private Brian Donahoe, U.S. Army w First Sergeant Robert Dowdy
Donald Eacho, U.S. Army w Captain William Edmison, U.S. Army w Captain Paul Eichenlaub, U.S. Air Force w Staff Sergeant Floyd Ellison, U.S. Army w Serge
Everson, U.S. Marine Corps w Colonel Thomas Felts, Jr., U.S. Army w Sergeant Gary Fenneman, U.S. Army w Airman Barry Ferrell, U.S. Air Force w Specialis
Chief Petty Officer Pedro Gonzales, U.S. Navy w Private Danny Graves, U.S. Marine Corps w Chief Master Sergeant Lawrence Gray, U.S. Air Force w Master Se
John Hall, U.S. Navy w Lance Corporal Sidney Hall, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Thomas Hall, U.S. Army w Private First Class Wayne Hamlet, U.S. Army w S
Jeffrey Harper, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Patrick Hart, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant Stephen Hattamer, U.S. Army w Sergeant Charles Helton, U.S. A
Hoffman, U.S. Army w Lance Corporal William Hoffman, U.S. Marine Corps w Specialist Dale Hogard, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant James Holland, U.S. Mar
Horstman, U.S. Army w Corporal Jerry Howell, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Major Patrick Hurley, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Arlan Huston, U.S. Air Force
Jewell, U.S. Army w Captain Dale Johnson, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Robert Johnson, U.S. Air Force w Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Jones, U.S. Army
Kidd, U.S. Army w Sergeant Gene Korhonen, U.S. Army w Sergeant Daniel Kremer, U.S. Marine Corps w Petty Officer First Class Gregory Krips, U.S. Navy w Pe
U.S. Air Force w Lieutenant James Love, U.S. Navy w Staff Sergeant Edward Lucas, U.S. Air Force w Gunnery Sergeant Gerald Lussier, U.S. Marine Corps w St
William Maloney, U.S. Navy w Sergeant First Class Curtis Mancini, U.S. Army w Sergeant First Class John Marshall, U.S. Army w Specialist Eduardo Marque
Corps w Sergeant First Class Christine McFadden, U.S. Army w Lieutenant Colonel Dillon F. McFarland, U.S. Air Force w Corporal James McFarland, U.S. M
Corps w Staff Sergeant W. McMullen, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Michael McNulty, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Antonio Medina, U.S. Air Force w Serg
Army w Chief Warrant Officer William Monty, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Carolyn Moore, U.S. Army w Petty Officer Third Class Dorothy Moore, U.S. Navy w
James Nelson, U.S. Air Force w Commander Stephen Northrop, U.S. Navy w Master Gunnery Sergeant Leonard Nowcid, U.S. Marine Corps w Private First C
Elmer Padgett, U.S. Army w Seaman Apprentice Martin Painter, U.S. Navy w Lieutenant Commander Gerald Pelz, U.S. Navy w Master Sergeant William Pestana
Reyna, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Willie Rice, U.S. Army w Sergeant William Richardson, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Ronald Richerson, U.S. Army w Serge
Army w Corporal Richard Roberts, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant First Class Joe Rodriguez, U.S. Army w Colonel James Rowe, U.S. Army w Private First Clas
Class Steven Sams, U.S. Navy w Specialist Gregory Sanborn, U.S. Army w Private First Class Roke Santos, U.S Army w Sergeant Arnold Schmidt, U.S. Marine C
Severhill, U.S. Marine Corps w Corporal Steven Sharpe, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Edward Sheffield, U.S. Air Force w Specialist Fourth Class John Sherrer, U.S
U.S. Army w Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Joe Snell, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Antonio Solis, U.S. Army w Gunner
Stavinoha, U.S. Marine Corps w Lieutenant Colonel Terry Steele, U.S. Marine Corps w Lieutenant Colonel John Stein, U.S. Air Force w Staff Sergeant Robert Stocto
Swanson, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant Joseph Szymborski, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Gregory Tasker, U.S. Army w Sergeant Alvin Terry, U.S. Marine Corps w Se
Torres, U.S. Air Force w Chief Warrant Officer Chester Troxel, U.S. Army w Private First Class Everett Truedson, U.S. Army w Corporal John Utsinger, U.S. M
Corps w Senior Airman Paul Walley, U.S. Air Force w Captain Dixon Walters, U.S. Air Force w Specialist Gilbert Wantland, U.S. Army w Major Kevin Ward
Corporal John White, U.S. Marine Corps w First Sergeant Aiken Williams, Jr., U.S. Air Force w Lance Corporal Dan Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Orang
4 v Honoring Our Heroes
merica’s Military Heroes
es , w ho h ave s erved i n t he A rmed F orces o f t he U nited S tates a nd
oviding e ducational s cholarships t o t heir s ons a nd d aughters .
Army Colonel James Rowe is the father
of Scholarship recipients Stephen and
Brian Rowe. COL Rowe, who served his
country for nearly 30 years, was a POW
for five years and was assasinated in the
Philippines in 1989, when his sons were
both under the age of four.
A
rmy Sergeant First Class James
Ochsner served with the Special Forces
during Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.
His son, Nicholas, is a Scholarship
recipient. Nicholas’ younger sister,
Meagan, will be eligible for a Freedom
Alliance Scholarship in the coming years.
N
avy Petty Officer Third Class Larry
Sebring sits with his young daughter, Sarah.
PO3 Sebring was killed when his plane
crashed in 1983. Sarah was less than one
year old. A Freedom Alliance Scholarship recipient, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from
the University of Mary Washington and a
Ph.D. in Cellular Biology from Virginia Tech.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Pedro
Gonzales is the father of Scholarship
recipients Matthew (seen here with his
dad) and Danielle. CPO Gonzales was
killed in a helicopter crash in 2001. 0 percent permenantly disabled. This is a partial listing. Thank you for respecting the privacy of our recipients and their families.
ard Armstrong, U.S. Marine Corps w Master Sergeant Barbara Arradondo, U.S. Army w Sergeant Michael Ashby, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant Norman
ance Corporal Ronald Baron, U.S. Marine Corps w Lieutenant William Bartram, U.S. Navy w Sergeant Merlin Beardsley, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant George
eant Raulston Bertley, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Stephen Bertolino, U.S. Army w Corporal Joseph Den Bleyker, U.S. Marine Corps w Frederick Bonner, U.S.
saiah Branton, U.S. Marine Corps w Lieutenant Commander Arthur Braun, U.S. Navy w Sergeant Larry Brooks, U.S. Army w Private James Brown, U.S. Army
s w Master Sergeant Ramon Canda, U.S. Air Force w Specialist Sal Cannizzaro, U.S. Army w Specialist Louis Capobianco, U.S. Army w Specialist David Carr,
Sergeant William Cleveland, U.S. Army w Sergeant First Class Joseph Cobb, U.S. Army w Corporal James Coker, U.S. Marine Corps w Senior Airman Marlon
rmy w Lance Corporal Joseph Cousins, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant First Class Jesse Crawford, U.S. Army w Corporal Thomas Crilly, U.S. Marine Corps w
t First Class Rodney Davis, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Herman Davis, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant Zachary Day, U.S. Army w Colonel John Deacy, U.S. Army
y, U.S. Army w Specialist Michael Dungan, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Leonard Dunn, U.S. Army w Lieutenant Robert Dwyer, U.S. Navy w Sergeant First Class
eant First Class Adalbert Erazo-Flores, U.S. Army w Private First Class Edwin Ermis, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant John Evans, U.S. Army w Corporal Robert
st Gerald Finan, U.S. Army w Sergeant James Frederick, U.S. Marine Corps w Specialist Raul Ginez, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant James Goepel, U.S. Air Force w
ergeant Lee Green, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant First Class Rufus Griffith, III, U.S. Army w Corporal Rene Guzman, U.S. Marine Corps w Petty Officer First Class
Sergeant Jerry Hankins, U.S. Army w Lance Corporal Allan Hanlon, U.S. Marine Corps w Petty Officer Third Class James Harff, U.S. Navy w Lieutenant Colonel
Army w Airman Second Class William Herold, U.S. Air Force w Specialist James Heyden, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Jack Hobbs, U.S. Army w Sergeant Larry
rine Corps w Lieutenant Colonel Anson Holley, U.S. Air Force w Major Peter Hook, U.S. Air Force w Sergeant Lawrence Hoover, U.S. Army w Captain Randi
w Corporal James Hynds, U.S. Marine Corps w Lieutenant Colonel Leon James, U.S. Army w Sergeant George Janka, U.S. Army w Sergeant First Class Robert
y w Staff Sergeant Carmen Jones-Wilder, U.S. Army w Specialist Edward Joseph, U.S. Army w Sergeant Miles Kennedy, U.S. Marine Corps w Specialist Anthony
etty Officer First Class James Lewis, U.S. Navy w Technical Sergeant Gary Logan, U.S. Air Force w First Lieutenant Irma Long, U.S. Army w Major Robert Lowry,
taff Sergeant Scott Luther, U.S. Army w Major Robert Maguire, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Johnny Mallard, U.S. Marine Corps w Petty Officer Third Class
ez, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Spaniel McAdoo, U.S. Air Force w Corporal David McCurdy, U.S. Marine Corps w Corporal John McCrumb, U.S. Marine
Marine Corps w Captain Vincent McGrath, U.S. Army w First Lieutenant Evander McIver, U.S. Marine Corps w Lance Corporal James McMahon, U.S. Marine
geant Andrew Mitchell, U.S. Army w Specialist Eldridge Mitchell, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant James Mitchell, U.S. Air Force w Captain Donald Mondie, U.S.
Corporal Eddie Moran, U.S. Marine Corps w Chief Warrant Officer Adelbert Morrow, U.S. Army w Specialist Dominic Napolitano, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant
Class Alfredo Nunez, U.S. Army w Sergeant First Class James Ochsner, U.S. Army w Chief Warrant Officer Mark O’Steen, U.S. Army w Chief Warrant Officer
a, U.S Army w Ensign Jerry Pope, U.S. Navy w Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Reines, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Christopher Respress, U.S. Army w Corporal Frank
eant First Class Matthew Rierson, U.S. Army w Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Rifkin, U.S. Army w James Rigdon, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Arthur Riley, U.S.
ss Michael Rudess, U.S. Army w Lance Corporal Robert Sadowski, U.S. Marine Corps w Chief Warrant Officer Richard Salter, U.S. Army w Petty Officer Third
Corps w Captain John Schuepbach, U.S. Army w Commander Peter Schwab, U.S. Navy w Petty Officer Second Class Larry Sebring, U.S. Navy w Corporal Terry
S. Army w Major Geoffrey Sherrill, U.S. Army w Corporal Robert Shoaf, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant Donald Smith, U.S. Army w Specialist Fred Smith,
y Sergeant Harry Sommer, U.S. Marine Corps w Captain Michael Scott Speicher, U.S. Navy w Captain David Spellacy, U.S. Marine Corps w Sergeant Wilbert
on, U.S. Army w Sergeant Mark Stout, U.S. Army w Second Lieutenant Cedric Strong, U.S. Army w Corporal Roger Sullivan, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Howard
ergeant Willie Thompson, U.S. Marine Corps w Staff Sergeant Tracy Tidwell, U.S. Army w Staff Sergeant Eduardo Tolentino, U.S. Army w Technical Sergeant Juan
Marine Corps w Sergeant Charles Venedam, U.S. Army w Lance Corporal Dennis Vigneault, U.S. Marine Corps w First Sergeant Donald Walker, U.S. Marine
d, U.S Air Force w Sergeant First Class Rafeal Ward, U.S. Army w Specialist Luke Washington III, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Howard Wetzel, U.S. Army w
ge Woodley, U.S. Army w Master Sergeant Anthony Yost, U.S. Army w Lance Corporal Hal Young, U.S. Marine Corps w Corporal Peter Zanis, U.S. Marine Corps
Honoring Our Heroes v 5
M eet a few of our Freedom Al
Amy Horstman is a Voice
Nicholas Ochsner is a
Performance and Music
Broadcast Communimajor at the University
cations major at Elon
of Alaska in Fairbanks.
University in North
Her father, Army Captain
Carolina. His father,
Randi Horstman, was
Army Sergeant First Class
killed serving our
James Ochsner, was a
country when Amy was
Special Forces soldier
only three years old.
killed in Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Bethany Love, from
Maryland, is a Graphic
Design major at Radford
University in Virginia.
Her father, Navy Lieutenant James Love, was
killed when his helicopter
crashed in 1990. Bethany
was only a year old when
her father was killed.
Christian Richerson is
an English major at the
Virginia Military
Institute. His father,
Army Staff Sergeant
Ronald Richerson, was
killed in 1993 while on
patrol in Somalia.
Brittany O’Steen is an
Economics major at
Birmingham Southern
College. Her father, Army
Chief Warrant Officer
Mark O’Steen, was killed
in a helicopter crash in
Operation Iraqi Freedom
in 2003.
Tara McGrath is a
Tony Bertolino is a
Stephanie Arrington is a Peter Cannizzaro, from
Kelvin Canda is a
Business major at Mount
Spanish and German
New York, is a student Business Administration Communications major
San Jacinto College in
major at Florida State
at Lynn University in
and Accounting major
at Rutgers University in
California. His father, Army University. Her father, Florida. His father, Army
at Loyola College in
New Jersey. His father,
Staff Sergeant Stephen
Army Sergeant Antonio Specialist Sal Cannizzaro, Maryland. Her father,
Air Force Master
Bertolino, was killed when
Solis, was killed in a
is 100 percent permaArmy Captain Vincent Sergeant Ramon Canda,
his convoy was ambushed helicopter crash in 1990, nently disabled due to his McGrath, is 100 percent
was killed serving our
in 2003 during Operation when Stephanie was only
service to our country.
permanently disabled country. Kelvin’s brother,
Iraqi Freedom. Tony is the
three years old.
due to his service
Michael, was also a
oldest of four children.
to our country.
Scholarship recipient.
C h r i s t op h e r M on d i e
One of America’s Top Young Minds
Chris , a Behavioral Neuroscience major at Rider University in New Jersey, is dedicated to helping those with
injuries like those of his father, Army Captain Donald Mondie, a 100 percent permanently disabled veteran who
sacrificed greatly for his country. Chris works at Rider University’s neuroscience research lab where he and Dr. E.
Todd Weber are researching the relationship of chemotherapy and brain cell division with hopes their study will
be published in a scientific/medical journal. Chris will “shadow” a trauma team at Cooper University Hospital in
Camden, New Jersey, where his father has been treated. In addition to his studies and research, Chris is also a 2nd
Lieutenant for his hometown’s First Aid Squad and an EMT.
6 v Scholarship Recipients
lliance S cholarship s tudents
Dane Sadowski is a
Sports Studies and
Management major at
Miami University in
Ohio. His father, Marine
Lance Corporal Robert
Sadowski, died as a result
of his service-related
injuries when Dane was
only three years old.
Jessica Schwab, from
Florida, is a Public
Policy major at the
University of Chicago.
Her father, Navy
Commander Peter
Schwab, was killed in a
plane crash in 1998.
Turquoise Griffith is
a Psychology major at
UCLA. Her father, Army
Sergeant First Class Rufus
Griffith, is 100 percent
permanently disabled.
Her older sister, ReLeana,
a Scholarship Fund
graduate, is currently in
law school in Michigan.
Hollis Troxel, from
Alaska, is a Business
major at Cedarville
University in Ohio.
His father, Army Chief
Warrant Officer Chester
Troxel, was killed in a
helicopter crash while
serving in Operation
Iraqi Freedom in 2006.
Maria James is a Political Thomas Hall is a Sports
Science major at Purdue Management major at the
University in Indiana.
University of Tennessee
Her father, Army
and a member of the
Lieutenant Colonel Leon
Tennesse Volunteers
football team. His father,
James, who served our
country for more than
Army Sergeant Thomas
20 years, was killed by an
Hall, is 100 percent permanently disabled due to
IED in Operation Iraqi
Freedom in 2005.
his service-related injuries.
Donovan Dean is a
Christina Salter is a
Bradley Szkrybalo is
Criminal Justice major at Business Administration majoring in Mechanical
East Carolina University. major at Central Texas
Engineering at Michigan
His father, Army Master College. On the day after Technical University. His
father, Army Specialist
Sergeant Anthony Yost,
Christmas, 2005, her
was killed in action
father, Army Chief
Anthony Kidd, was killed
serving with the Special Warrant Officer Richard serving our country, when
Forces in Operation
Salter, was killed in
Bradley was only four
Iraqi Freedom in 2005. Operation Iraqi Freedom
years old.
in a helicopter crash.
Caitlin Venedam, from
New Jersey, is a Fine and
Performing Arts major at
Saint Joseph’s University
in Pennsylvania. Her
father, Army Sergeant
Charles Venedam, is 100
percent permanently
disabled.
C ameron A rmstrong
A Rockette in the Making
Cameron Armstrong, a Dance major at the University of Alabama, is working toward her childhood dream:
becoming a Radio City Rockette. She participated in the Rockettes’ summer program in New York and
Pittsburgh, where she learned various Rockettes dances. Cameron then got the “chance of a lifetime” when
she performed with the Rockettes. Her official audition for the Radio City Rockettes is coming up soon. In
addition to studying and performing, Cameron teaches dance to 6–12 year old children at the Bravo Dance
Center in Georgia. Cameron’s father, Marine First Lieutenant Richard Armstrong, died in 1993 as a result
of a service-related illness. Cameron was only four years old when she lost her dad.
Scholarship Recipients v 7
The Value of Your Support
Graduate Success Stories
Patrick McGrath
Patrick, of Johnson City, New York, graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University in
Pennsylvania. After graduation, Patrick began work in the maritime navigation field
with Lockheed Martin, and is simultaneously earning his Master’s degree from Syracuse
University in New York. His father, Army Captain Vincent McGrath, is 100 percent
permanently disabled due to his service to our country. Patrick’s sister, Tara, is also a
Freedom Alliance Scholarship recipient and currently attends Loyola College in
Maryland, where she is studying Business Administration.
A Bright Future: Patrick
McGrath is now pursuing
his Master’s degree.
Lauren Dwyer
Proud Mom: Lisa Dwyer
celebrates with her daughter,
Lauren, on graduation day.
Lauren, of Orange Park, Florida, graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida and plans to attend law
school in the future. She received a Freedom Alliance scholarship each of her four
years. Lauren is the daughter of Navy Lieutenant Robert Dwyer, a Purple Heart
recipient who was killed during the first Gulf War when his F-18 crashed returning
from a mission. Neither Lieutenant Dwyer nor his plane were ever recovered.
Lauren was only three years old when her father was killed.
Hannity Freedom Concerts
Our Heroes’ Children: Sean Hannity talks with
two sisters whose father gave his life in service
to our country.
Since 2003, Sean Hannity has hosted the Hannity Freedom Concerts to help
generate support for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. Sean’s efforts
have helped us raise millions of dollars to provide college tuition for hundreds
of deserving young Americans, reminding them that their parents’ sacrifice
will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.
How You Can Help
The Scholarship Fund is made possible through the generosity of freedom-loving Americans who want to honor
our military heroes. Individual, foundation and corporate contributions, including matching gifts and stock and
estate gifts, are gratefully accepted and tax-deductible. For more information about giving opportunities, please
contact Freedom Alliance at (800) 475–6620. We are grateful to Freedom Alliance donors who provided funding
to print and mail this Scholarship Report. No Scholarship Fund monies were used for this purpose.
Fr eedom 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240
Dulles, Virginia 20166
Al li ance
www.freedomalliance.org
(800) 475-6620 w (703) 444-7940
L tC ol O liver L. N orth, USMC (R et.)
F ounder and H onorary C hairman
T homas P. K ilgannon, P resident