KSV News: Short Round 052

KSV Scholarship Awards 2026

Note: Much of the following is drawn from earlier and current posts by Dan Fisher: 

In 2008 at the Reno, NV Khe Sanh Veterans Reunion, the topic of supporting a scholarship program was placed before the KSV Membership present for a vote. The popularity of this program to support the educational goals of children and grandchildren of Khe Sanh Veterans proved a big hit.

A new Scholarship Committee wrote a set of guidelines and criteria for the new program. Early Committee Members were all KSV volunteers, including Larry McCartney, Bill Jayne, Bruce “T-Bone” Jones, Dennis Mannion and Dan Fisher. The Committee approved a draft, and during the Denver, CO reunion declared the new Scholarship program “good to go” for school year 2009-2010 . KSV Board President Dave “Bulldog” Smith, Treasurers Tom Eichler and Russ Turner gave their full support to let the donations begin. The KSV Membership came through with donations to fund the first-year goals.  Funding also included donations from the reunion silent auction and the KSV Ladies Luncheon. A full KSV Team effort!!

Since its 2009 inception, the KSV Scholarship program has remained phenomenally successful attracting college, university, vocational and trade school applicants. The program was paused in 2025 following the passing of Tom Eichler.  It is now rejuvenated thanks to Dan Fisher and others.  In the 17 years since its inception, the KSV Scholarship Fund has received donations totaling $144,500.  The donors include the KSV Membership, the KSV Ladies’ Reunion Luncheon and the Reunion Silent Auction proceeds.  These funds have helped, and will help, 232 young scholars achieve their educational goals.

The sincere ‘Thank You’ cards which have come from these student awardees are often more thankful for their fathers’ and grandfathers’ service in Vietnam (and especially Khe Sanh) than for the financial awards they have just received.

The following KSV Scholarship awards for the 2026-27 school year have just been announced by the Committee!!:

– Grace H. Davis: (Sponsor: Dennis Mannion, C 1/13 & K 3/26 LF)  University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC:  Psychology (Freshman)

– Rylee J. Elliott: (Sponsor: Joseph Sherman, B 1/26 LF)  Wonbonsee Community College, IL:  Criminal Justice (Sophomore)

– Adylyn J. Hammons: (Sponsor: George Myrick, D 1/26 LF) Southern Nazarene University, OK:  Nursing (Freshman)

– Lane M. Howard: (Sponsor: Thomas Keaton, B 1/13 LF) Penn State, Fayette, PA: Engineering (Sophomore)

– Ava M. Kilgora: (Sponsor: William Maves, E 2/26 LF) University Of Wisconsin WI: Nursing (Freshman)

– Piper L. Koury: (Sponsor: Robert Koury, D 1/1 LF) University Of South Carolina, SC: Advertising & Information Science (Sophomore)

– Reece C. Leggett: (Sponsor: Dale Wittler, K 3/4 & E 2/4 RM) East Carolina University, NC: Finance (Freshman)

– Brooklyn N. Maves: (Sponsor: William Maves, E 2/26 LF)  Southeastern Community College, IA: Nursing (Freshman)

– Chase D. Maves: (Sponsor: William Maves, E 2/26 LF) University Of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI:  Physical & Adaptive PE (Junior)

– Sofia G. Rodriguez: (Sponsor: John Hargesheimer, 3rd ATs LF) Indiana University Bloomington, IN: Journalism (Sophomore)

– Kate E. Singleton:  (Sponsor: Robert Singleton, 3rd Shore Party BN LF)  University Of San Diego, San Diego, CA: Finance (Freshman)

Our Committee Members offer their big and well deserved applause to each of our donors, the KSV membership and to our young scholars who are pursuing their life enriching education goals.

Semper Fidelis:

The Scholarship Committee 2009 to 2026

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