Compiled by Andrea Papagianis
The children of four U.S. Marines killed while clearing unexploded arms from a training area on Camp Pendleton in November will receive up to $30,000 in post-high school funds from the nation’s largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.
Seven children under the age of 10 lost their fathers November 13. Staff Sgt. Matthew R. Marsh, 28, of Long Beach; Sgt. Miguel Ortiz, 27, of Vista; Gunnery Sgt. Gregory J. Mullins, 31, of Bayou L’Ourse, La.; and Staff Sgt. Eric W. Summers, 32, of Poplar Bluffs, Mo., were elite members of a U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal team, all with combat experience.
All four killed had deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and were recipients of the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO-Medal ISAF Afghanistan.
Now, through the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, their children will be eligible for funds to help them through their community college, university or vocational schooling. Additionally, the foundation has established the EOD Marine Memorial Scholarship in the fallen Marines’ honor.
“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation,” said Andrea Summers, widow of Staff. Sgt. Eric Summers. “While my daughter is only two years old, to know that the cost of college is covered is a tremendous burden lifted off our family’s shoulders.”
Since its founding in 1962, the foundation has provided more than 30,000 scholarships to children whose parents have been killed or injured in combat. Find out more at www.mcsf.org.
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