thedrifter
06-27-08, 07:51 AM
N.B. soldier fundraises for Marine Corps scholarship
Maj. Chris Ieva wants to support children of Marines
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK - An Iraq veteran who will be deployed again in 2009 is currently fundraising in support of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
Maj. Christopher Ieva, 34, a 1991 graduate of the North Brunswick Township High School, is seeking donations to the foundation, which helps the children of fallen, current and former Marines, in support of his participation in the 2008 San Francisco Marathon on Aug. 3.
"The Marine family serves as a vital, but often underappreciated component to our Corps' ability to deploy and fight in the global War on Terror. Particularly, the children of Marines, themselves patriots, bear an extreme burden as their fathers and mothers deploy. This scholarship foundation provides the children of fallen Marines and sailors serving with the Marines with an educational opportunity while honoring one of their parent's sacrifice," the active duty Marine Infantry officer said.
Since 1962, the scholarship foundation has provided more than $34 million in academic needs-based scholarships to more than 22,000 children of Marines. The foundation is also dedicated to providing a Heroes Tribute Scholarship in the amount of $30,000 to every child of a Marine or a Navy Corpsman serving in a Marine unit whose parent is killed in the global war on terror.
Ieva's personal fundraising goal is $10,674, based on the average tuition per year per student in America.
"By reaching this goal, we can send at least one worthy child to school for at least one year," the father of two said. "This foundation provides an extremely practical means to pay tribute to the legacy of deserving Marines who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Yet Ieva said that money is not solely important: he asks that readers pass the request for donations onto anyone they think would be able to donate as well, in an effort to pass the word along to as many people as possible.
"We know that this long war does impact families based on the separation from family and the inherent danger of war," he said.
Ieva and other Marines know that danger all too well. Ieva served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 as the commanding officer of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd (3/2) Marines in western Iraq. Company K participated in numerous combat and security operations in Al Qaim and Haditha, Iraq. Most notably, Task Force 3/2 fought in Operations MATADOR and SPEAR against al Qaeda foreign fighters.
His next mission is the marathon, which he has been training for since April. He said when he saw some of the causes offered as part of the race, he realized how important supporting the Marine Corps would be.
To make a donation, visit www.mcsf.kintera. org/ieva.
Ellie
Maj. Chris Ieva wants to support children of Marines
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK - An Iraq veteran who will be deployed again in 2009 is currently fundraising in support of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
Maj. Christopher Ieva, 34, a 1991 graduate of the North Brunswick Township High School, is seeking donations to the foundation, which helps the children of fallen, current and former Marines, in support of his participation in the 2008 San Francisco Marathon on Aug. 3.
"The Marine family serves as a vital, but often underappreciated component to our Corps' ability to deploy and fight in the global War on Terror. Particularly, the children of Marines, themselves patriots, bear an extreme burden as their fathers and mothers deploy. This scholarship foundation provides the children of fallen Marines and sailors serving with the Marines with an educational opportunity while honoring one of their parent's sacrifice," the active duty Marine Infantry officer said.
Since 1962, the scholarship foundation has provided more than $34 million in academic needs-based scholarships to more than 22,000 children of Marines. The foundation is also dedicated to providing a Heroes Tribute Scholarship in the amount of $30,000 to every child of a Marine or a Navy Corpsman serving in a Marine unit whose parent is killed in the global war on terror.
Ieva's personal fundraising goal is $10,674, based on the average tuition per year per student in America.
"By reaching this goal, we can send at least one worthy child to school for at least one year," the father of two said. "This foundation provides an extremely practical means to pay tribute to the legacy of deserving Marines who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Yet Ieva said that money is not solely important: he asks that readers pass the request for donations onto anyone they think would be able to donate as well, in an effort to pass the word along to as many people as possible.
"We know that this long war does impact families based on the separation from family and the inherent danger of war," he said.
Ieva and other Marines know that danger all too well. Ieva served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 as the commanding officer of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd (3/2) Marines in western Iraq. Company K participated in numerous combat and security operations in Al Qaim and Haditha, Iraq. Most notably, Task Force 3/2 fought in Operations MATADOR and SPEAR against al Qaeda foreign fighters.
His next mission is the marathon, which he has been training for since April. He said when he saw some of the causes offered as part of the race, he realized how important supporting the Marine Corps would be.
To make a donation, visit www.mcsf.kintera. org/ieva.
Ellie