Freedom Alliance Surpasses $20 Million Awarded in College Scholarships to Children of Military Heroes
27 October 2021 - 6:14AM
Freedom Alliance, a military support organization, has now awarded
more than $20 million in college scholarships to the children of
fallen or wounded military heroes in the 20 years since the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The scholarships are
provided to students who have a parent that was killed or
permanently disabled in the service of our country.
"It’s not enough to simply mourn the death or injury of a
service member,” explained Freedom Alliance President, Tom
Kilgannon. "A grateful nation must also care for the children of
its fallen and wounded heroes and help them achieve their dreams.
Our team at Freedom Alliance has humbly accepted that
responsibility and in doing so, our own lives – and the lives of
our supporters – have been greatly enriched by those we serve."
Freedom Alliance has experienced tremendous growth in its
scholarship program. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, Freedom
Alliance had awarded scholarships to 12 students for a total of
$79,000. In 2021, 583 students received scholarships totaling $2.3
million and over the last 20 years, Freedom Alliance has helped
more than 2,000 individual students complete their studies at trade
schools, community colleges and four-year institutions.
A Freedom Alliance scholarship is awarded based on the parent’s
military service and if one child in the family is eligible,
siblings are likely to also qualify if they choose to continue
their education after high school. The top five areas of study
among our students are: nursing, psychology, biology, business and
mechanical engineering and scholarship recipients carry an average
GPA of 3.21 out of 4.0. Scholarship recipients hail from all 50
states and their parents have served in each branch of the armed
forces as well as fought in various campaigns including
Afghanistan, Iraq, the Persian Gulf War, Beirut, Mogadishu and
others.
“We are 20 years removed from the start of the war in
Afghanistan,” explained Kilgannon, “and the need for college
assistance for the children of fallen or wounded heroes has never
been greater.”
There are an estimated 7,000 youths who have lost a parent in
Afghanistan or Iraq and the vast majority have not yet attended
college. It is estimated that over the next ten years (2022-2031),
5,500 children of service members killed in action (KIA) – and
thousands more who become permanently disabled – will be eligible
for the scholarship.
Shelby Summers is a scholarship recipient. In the early morning
of August 3, 2009, two Casualty Assistance Officers from the Army
appeared at her home to tell her and her mom that their father and
husband, SFC Sev Summers had died in Afghanistan after being hit by
an IED.
“Through Freedom Alliance,” Shelby says, “I met a lot of young
adults in my same situation. These were people who I didn’t realize
existed for so many years, and the connection that each of us
developed with one another is something only we understand. We hold
a special bond with one another, we can talk about our grief and
rejoice about our lost parent, and it’s not awkward or taboo – it’s
just natural, accepted and special.”
Scott Zangas attended Penn State University with the help of a
Freedom Alliance scholarship. His father, Robert Zangas, was a
Marine who lost his life in Iraq when he was attacked by insurgents
posing as Iraqi police. Scott was about 5 years old when he lost
his dad.
“Many of us have grown up without ever meeting kids who can
relate to experiencing such a monumental loss,” Scott says. “Being
able to finally do that offers many of us closure, and we form
powerful bonds that are entirely unique. I have never felt more
welcomed and at home than I am with my friends made through Freedom
Alliance.”
Freedom Alliance is also especially proud of two students who
have earned prestigious opportunities through the Gold Star Family
Fellowship Program, created by Congress in 2019 to provide one-year
fellowships with members of the House of Representatives. Brandi
Anderson, whose father, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Anderson,
lost his life in Ramadi, Iraq on May 2, 2004, and Julia Morris, the
daughter of Captain James Morris, USMC, who died when his plane
crashed in a training accident in 2000, are both currently serving
with members of Congress in this program.
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About Freedom Alliance: Freedom Alliance was founded by
Lt. Col. Oliver North, USMC (Ret.) who served for 22 years and was
decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star for valor, and two
Purple Hearts for wounds in combat. In addition to providing more
than $20 million in college scholarships, Freedom Alliance has
helped thousands of injured veterans with recreational
rehabilitation, care packages, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain
wheelchairs, new vehicles, and more.
Learn more about Freedom Alliance at FreedomAlliance.org or
facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.
- Freedom Alliance Surpasses $20 Million Awarded in College
Scholarships to Children of Military Heroes
Julie Capobianco
Vistra Communications
813.369.5187
JulieC@ConsultVistra.com