The Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.

MCSF Blog

Memorial Day Reflections

by Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele USMC (Ret.), Board Chairman, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

This Memorial Day, some of us will pray, many of us will remember, most of us will reflect, but more importantly; all of us will live freely in fulfillment of the fallens’ sacrifice.

It is within this commonality we all share – the burden of freedom borne from sacrifice – that our actions on this holiday rise above a single moment of remembrance.

It is in these moments that we as the many can pay the most lasting tribute to those who have given all.
Our Marines are never far from danger and for those of us who carry Semper Fidelis in our hearts, the Corps’ losses in recent weeks make this Memorial Day all the more reflective of the selfless sacrifice of The Few. The Proud.

For me and all those of us who have served, Memorial Day will always be a deeply personal moment of reverence for lost brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters.

So as we live out our lives today, tomorrow, and each day forward, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation stands to rise above the one moment of remembrance and pays tribute to our fallen through the most lasting legacy we can offer; the promise of a bright, successful future for their children through education.

On behalf of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, our board of directors, staff, scholars, and Marine families everywhere, we wish you and your family all the best on this Memorial Day 2015.

If You Can, You Must Scholarship Initiative

More than 14 years ago, Dakota Meyer, a U.S. Marine serving in the War in Afghanistan, risked his life to bravely save the lives of U.S. and Afghan forces in the Battle of Ganjgal. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the first living Marine in more than forty years to receive the award. Since leaving active duty, Dakota has embraced opportunities for continued service. Through his partnership with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the “If You Can, You Must” Scholarship will provide educational scholarships to the children of Marines and inspire the future leaders of America.

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