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The Beginning The Association’s Scholarship Program was established in 2002, and it awards money to Airborne qualified ROTC cadets selected from Arizona’s Universities by their Professors of Military Science (PMS). The Scholarship Fund was named in honor of, the late Lieutenant General Sinclair Melner, who was an integral part in supporting our organization, in its beginning stages. The General was the guest speaker at our first annual Airborne banquet and gave a memorable and inspiring speech to members of an Association, still in its infancy. |
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Thank You Contributors and Supporters Contributions to the Scholarship Fund from the late General’s wife, Roma, and daughter, Kathy Drinkwater, along with a generous donation from the Sears Company, provided the finances necessary to launch the Program. In the first four (4) years, from 2002 to 2005, two (2) awards were given out at each year’s banquet to selected cadets. In 2006, with the addition of the Lieutenant General Frank Sackton, and the Dr. Don Parks Scholarship Endowments, and scholarship money provided by Paul Schilling, the Association was able to award six (6) scholarship grants at that year’s event. In 2007, Bruce Hilsee and the Grand Canyon Chapter of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team provided more scholarship money, which made it possible for seven (7) awards to be presented that year. |
