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Doylestown VFW Post 175 Awards 2012 Scholarships

Doylestown VFW Post 175 Awards 2012 Scholarships

On August 7, 2012, at the monthly Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 175 meeting, two Central Bucks High School graduates were honored for their contributions to their community, their scholastic excellence and service to the VFW.  In addition, the recipients must have had a member of their family serve in the military. This is the second consecutive year that the VFW Post has awarded scholarships to deserving students.

Amy Veasey of CB East High School graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a member of the National Honor Society in her junior and senior years.  She also served on the Class Council Senate and played Junior Varsity soccer. In addition to being a Memorial Day parade volunteer, she volunteered for just over 2 years at the Doylestown Hospital in patient transport and completed 400 hours there. 

In the fall, Amy will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Biology on the track for pre-medicine and her ambition is hope to someday be a pediatrician at a children's hospital.

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Amy’s Grandfather, Jack Edwards he served in the Army as a medic during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. He passed away before she was born so unfortunately she never had the chance to meet him.  Amy’s cousin, James Rendeiro, also served in Iraq during Operation Phantom Fury, serving with the Marine’s 1st Brigade.

Matt McGurk is the CB West High school recipient.  He graduated with a GPA of 3.9.  He is an Eagle Scout.  Matt will be attending Penn State University. Matt will be majoring in Mathematics through the business program and his goal is to become an Actuary. At CB West, Matt was involved in at the National Honor Society, Key Club, Concert Band and the Juggling/ Frisbee Club.

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Matt’s grandfather, Mr. Donald Smith, served in the US Army from June 4th of 1958 until May 27th of 1960.  He also served in the Army Reserves from 1960 to 1962.

Each of the scholarship winners was given a check and plaque by Commander Rich Scott.  Both Ms. Veasey and Mr. McGurk then spoke for a few minutes about their future goals, as well as thanking their families for their support.  Amy spoke about the support of her Mom, Carol, her Dad, Joe, Sister Brittany and Grandmother jk  had given her. Matt thanked his parents Chuck and Susan for all of their support.  The VFW veterans – those having served from WWII through the current action in Afghanistan gave these winners a big round of applause.  

The VFW Post‘s new Commander, Rich Scott (USMC, Vietnam) stated that, “Post 175 has long been involved in the local schools.”  The Post conducts regular presentations for POW/MIA Recognition Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  In addition, post members regularly and actively participate in classrooms to foster a better understanding of history particularly from the standpoint of being a participant in our nation’s critical events.  The Commander adds, “This scholarship program is a cornerstone Education program for our Post and this is our second year that we have recognized recent CB East and West graduates before they go off to college.”

The idea for the scholarship – officially called the VFW Post #175 Patriot Scholarship – was the idea of one of the post’s members – Col. Gregory Marston (retired).  (US Air Force/Air National Guard, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq).  The Colonel states, “We wanted to help deserving local high school graduates with the high cost of college tuition.” A committee was formed to determine a unique blend of criteria for this scholarship.  The first requirement is Family Service. Someone in the student’s family must have honorably served in any branch of the military. The next criterion was a requirement that all applicants participate in at least one of the Community Contribution projects that are organized and run by the VFW Post.  Finally, students that excelled in academics was determined to be a criterion.  As the Colonel states, “We wanted the top students – Student Excellence.”

Marston also wanted to include community service projects that ranged from helping to be marshals at the Annual Doylestown Memorial Day Parade to placing new American Flags at the gravesites of deceased American veterans at local cemeteries.  For last year’s project, some students assisted with computer research to compile information about servicemen from Bucks County who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.  This information was used by past Post Commander Jim McComb (USMC, Vietnam) to publish a non-profit book about each of these deceased Vietnam War heroes from this county --  “More Than Names On A Wall: Remembering Bucks County's veterans who lost their lives serving our country during the Vietnam War

Colonel Marston feels that the Doylestown VFW 175 is unique in many ways.  It has gained many new members who are attracted to its unique philanthropy, community and educational service – plus the singular dedication to help the newest veterans and their families who have borne the burden of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Post’s vibrant membership leads many community projects, such as managing the Annual Memorial Day parade.  This huge Doylestown event is one of the only parades in the country that has run consistently from the start of this holiday in 1867 until now”.  Memorial Day Parade Chief, Jim McComb (USMC, Vietnam) says, “We were told that the parade might end, so our Post has helped take the responsibility to keep it going – of course we have many volunteers, including these Scholarship winners, who make it work so well.”

Another big project for the Post is to lead and manage the design, publicity and fundraising for the new Bucks County ‘Global War on Terrorism’ Memorial.   This new monument will be placed at the current Doylestown Courthouse within the next two years, to recognize the sixteen Bucks County military personnel that have been killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

Next year the VFW Post 175 Scholarship program will be expanded.  It’s two $1000 scholarships will be awarded to the most qualified senior graduates from CB East, CB West and the additional competition from CB South High School seniors.   Two scholarship maximum will be awarded by the VFW Post, so competition will be keen. 

For the next school year, the VFW Post 175 scholarship committee hopes to have even more applicants than this year.  The minimum requirements are:

  Applicant must have a parent, brother, sister, grandparent, stepbrother, stepsister, stepmother or stepfather (living or deceased) who is serving or has ever served honorably in any U.S. Military service branch. 

  Applicant must have participated in at least one VFW Post 175 – sponsored community service project in his/her junior or senior year at CB West / East / South. Students may increase their chances by participating in more than one project, but it is not required. 

  Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school.

  Applicant must be a senior graduating from CB West / East / South at the end of the school year and be accepted at a college or university.

 Applicant must be a senior in good standing with no absentee or disciplinary problems.

  Graduating seniors must have been accepted at a college or technical school; with the intention of attending said school that fall or in the following spring semester.

We congratulate this year’s winners and wish them well in their future endeavors.

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