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Recipient Awards
In accordance with guidelines set forth by the
Grant Committee of the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund,
Inc. we are pleased to announce the recipients of the following
awards made during the 2nd quarter of 2005:
Rachelle Arroyave, proud wife of SSG Jimmy
J. Arroyave
Hometown: Woodlands, CA
College Grant:
$5,000.00
Financial Assistance: $2,000.00
SSG Arroyave, died in a
non-combat related vehicle accident northeast of Ramadi, Iraq,
on April 15, 2004 he served with Combat Service Support Group
11, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary
Force and was 30 years of age. He leaves behind his wife Rachelle
and three small children. Rachelle was expecting during her
husband's deployment with Jimmy, Jr. who will never have the
opportunity to meet his father.
Jamie Miller, proud wife of SSG Frederick L. Miller,
Jr.
Hagerstown, IN
College Grant:
$2,500.00
Financial Assistance:
$2,500.00
SSG Miller, was killed
when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb while on a security
patrol in Ramadi, Iraq, on September 20, 2003 he served with
K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and was
27 years of age. He leaves behind his wife Jamie and one small
son. Jamie was expecting during her husband's deployment with
Zachary who will never have the opportunity to meet his father.
 Lisa
Santoriello, proud wife of 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello
Hometown: Verona, PA.
College Grant:
$5,000.00
1st Lt. Santoriello
was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near his mounted reconnaissance
patrol vehicle in Khalidiyah, Iraq, on August 13, 2004 he served
with Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade,
1st Infantry Division and was 24 years of age. He leaves behind
his wife Lisa.
These awards totaling
$17,000.00
were made possible through donations received by the public
and events held by The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.
In accordance with guidelines
set forth by the Grant Committee of the Children of Fallen Soldiers
Relief Fund, Inc. we are pleased to announce the recipients
of the following awards made during the 3nd quarter of 2005:
 Rhonda
Lucas, proud wife of Petty Officer Jeffrey Alan Lucas
Hometown: Corbett, OR
Financial Award: $2,000.00
Petty Officer Jeff Lucas served in the United States Navy
for seventeen years as a Navy Seal. Petty Officer Lucas was
named Navy Seal of the year in 2004. He was 33 years old when
he boarded a helicopter with other comrades to help during a
heavy fight in the mountains of Afghanistan. Eight Navy Seals
and eight members of the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment known as the Night Stalkers were aboard a Chinook helicopter
that crashed in the eastern mountains of Afghanistan on June
28, 2005. It was the deadliest single blow to American forces
fighting an escalating insurgency in the country. Petty Officer
Lucas was one of the casualties. He leaves behind his beautiful
wife, Rhonda and 5 year old son, Sean. The Jeff Lucas Memorial
has been set up in honor of his service to our country. These
words were from our Vice President, Chris Griffin who made the
award personally:
I delivered the grant to Ms. Lucas as promised, on Thursday.
I have to tell you that it was very stressful and rewarding
at the same time. She was very grateful, and still very upset
about her loss.
I took away the following insight from my first experience
in this matter:
Upon entering her doorway, I was introduced to her husband
via a memorial set of pictures. He looks very handsome, rugged,
and really almost Hollywood like. Rhonda showed me his pictures
and started to talk about him in the present tense. She talked
about the SEAL community, how they internalize everything that
happens and has happened. She welled up into tears when I handed
her the grant and hugged me like I was a long lost relative.
As we talked together over the 30 minutes that I visited, I
was taken by how much she very strongly loves her husband. In
that sense, it was very heartbreaking. I tried very hard to
hold back my tears, I could really feel how she felt.
When I got into my vehicle, I couldn't help but to break
down. I felt an overwhelming respect and love for this man and
his family. It was the single most warming thing I have every
done. I'm still emotional over it.
Thank you Becky for giving me the opportunity to help these
families who have lost so much. We can only give so little,
but the main thing is that we CARE about them. I think they
understand that, at least Rhonda did.
 Terri
Potts, proud wife of Sgt. Christopher S. Potts
Hometown: Tiverton, RI
Financial Award: $4,900.00
Sgt. Potts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery
Regiment, Rhode Island National Guard in Providence, RI. Sgt.
Potts was killed on his 38th birthday, October 3, 2004 when
insurgents attacked a traffic-control post in Iraq. Sgt. Potts'
had been in the National Guard for 14 years. He was a member
of Rhode Island's Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery
Regiment, which deployed to Iraq with the 206th. While leading
his men in a combat patrol, Potts ordered his men to stay back,
out of the line of fire, when he was engaged by enemy forces.
While continuing to return fire in an effort to suppress the
enemy Potts was fatally wounded. "Sergeant Potts made the
ultimate sacrifice during the maneuver," said his commander,
Maj. Christian Neary, as he addressed the congregation. "His
actions saved his solders from certain injury or death."
"He always made sure his soldiers came first," said
Guadelupe, who was a friend of the fallen sergeant. "Always
lead from the front...and that's what he did that day."
(By 1st Lt. Chris J. Heathscott/39th Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs Officer) Sgt. Potts leaves behind his beautiful
wife, Terri and two young sons Christopher and Jackson. During
our conversations with Mrs. Potts we found that Christopher
was a big fan of the New England Patriots, the NFL team that
won the super bowl in 2005. One of our sponsors after hearing
of Christopher's allegiance to the Patriots waited until after
the Super bowl to make sure the Patriots won before sending
a Super bowl plaque to him. The most heart-warming and painstaking
reality is that these tow young sons will never again have the
warmth and comfort of their father. Jackson who was only 2 years
old was at his fathers' side everyday, working in the yard and
around the house with him. When asked what was Christopher's
favorite team we were surprised to find that Jackson at only
2 years old had his own favorite, the Dallas Cowboys, surprised
by the answer we found that Jackson and his Dad spent their
Sundays watching the Cowboys together, as it was Daddies favorite
team.
 Dean
Cunningham, proud son of SSG Darren James Cunningham
Hometown: Groton, MA
Financial Award: $2,250.00
SSG Cunningham who served with the 545th Military Police Company
of the Army's 1st Calvary died on September 30, 2004. He was
40 years old when he died September 30, 2004 after his unit
came under mortar attack while he was asleep. He also served
in Operation Desert Storm. He was assigned to the Army's 89th
Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas when he died. Serving
in our military for twenty-two years SSG Cunningham joined the
Army after graduating from High School at age 18. He had served
as a platoon sergeant in Iraq as part of the Persian Gulf War
of 1991. Previously he had been deployed to Korea. In both countries
he learned the language and customs so he could work more efficiently.
Part of his job in Iraq was training Iraqi police officers.
SSG Cunningham is survived by his daughter Kaitlin, 12 years
old and 16 year old son, Dean Cunningham. A scholarship has
been established in his name. Donations can be made at Staff
Sgt. Darren J. Cunningham Scholarship Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings
Bank, P.O. Box 1188, Groton, MA 01450.
These awards totaling $9,150.00 were made possible through
donations received by the public, charity events held by other
organizations and businesses and fundraisers held by the Children
of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.
In accordance with guidelines
set forth by the Grant Committee of the Children of Fallen Soldiers
Relief Fund, Inc. we are pleased to announce the recipients
of the following awards made during the 4th quarter of 2005:
Cornell Gilmore, Jr. - proud son of Army Command Sgt.
Major Cornell W. Gilmore I
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
College Award: $5,000.00
Dawnita Gilmore, proud daughter of Army
Command Sgt. Major Cornell W. Gilmore I
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
College Award: $5,000.00
SGM Gilmore I was killed in action when a UH-60 Black Hawk
helicopter went down on November 7, 2003 in Tikrit, Iraq. Army
Command Sgt. Maj. Cornell W. Gilmore I, 45, had been in Iraq
just five days, for what amounted to a routine inspection tour.
He was supposed to be gone a week. The youngest of 12 children
who grew up in Baltimore, he had become the highest-ranking
enlisted man and the highest-ranking African American in the
Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps. But he had vowed that
when he retired in a few years, he was going to be a Wal-Mart
greeter. When Gilmore headed to Iraq, he was determined to boost
the morale of soldiers in harm's way by showing them how much
they were appreciated. As a legal specialist for the Judge Advocate
General's Office, Gilmore was in charge of about 3,000 paralegals,
both active duty and reserve. He oversaw training and served
as a support system for soldiers joining the JAG Corps. He died
at the age of 45 and leaves behind his wife, Donna and two college-age
children, Cornell, Jr. and Dawnita. SGM Gilmore I was born in
Baltimore and grew up in the city's Cherry Hill area. He graduated
from the University of Maryland in Baltimore and entered the
military in 1981. An involved father, Gilmore coached youth
teams in every sport. Church was important. As a skilled pianist,
drummer, bass player and singer, he always took the lead in
worship services, and for a time, he and the children formed
a gospel group called G-3, which stood for both Gilmore 3 and
God's 3. Donna and Cornell also had what they called "a
marriage ministry," teaching a course on improving relationships
to other couples. Those who knew him say Gilmore was a man tall
in stature and vast in humility, know for his thousand-watt
smile and favorite phrases--especially his warm salutation:
Greeting. How are you?" He had other phrases he liked to
use, so closely identified with him that they were included
on the back cover of his funeral program: "Come on, team!"
"I got you covered." And his exit line, "Go forth--and
have a nice day." From the Washington
Post
Cristie Horton, proud wife of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Horton
Hometown: Erie, PA
College Award: $5,000.00
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Horton was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion,
6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division; Baumholder, Germany.
He was killed when his vehicle was ambushed by a car bomb near
Iskandariya, Iraq, on May 21, 2004, he was 24 years old. Cristie
and Jeremy had plans to earn their college degrees and now that
she is alone, she is still pursuing their goal for herself and
in memory of Jeremy. One of her instructors wrote: "As
a writing teacher, I learn a lot about my students through their
personal essays and am often privileged to read their private
thoughts. I know from Cristie's papers that family is very important
to her, and that her husband's death in Iraq has been a constant
force in her life this past year. I remember one paper in particular
where she wrote about the plans that she and her husband had
when he finished his time in the military, plans that included
both of them going to college. Now, Cristie has a chance to
make those plans come true. On your website, I see that one
of your goals is that you are"...determined to help make
the last wishes of those lost to the casualty of war possible..."
I believe that Jeremy's wish would be fulfilled through Cristie,
and I urge you to consider her for your College Grant."
"Was he special?" asked Horton's uncle, Richard Wittenburg.
"No, not really. He was every wife's husband, every parent's
son, every sibling's brother." Horton initially enlisted
because he wanted to save money for college. But, Wittenburg
said, Horton discovered that he loved being in the military,
risks and all. Difficult, demanding assignments appealed to
him the same way that fast cars and skydiving did, Wittenburg
said. SSG Horton originally served with the Army's 82nd Airborne
Division. He shifted to the 1st Armored Division and spent about
15 months in Iraq. Tom Horton, another uncle, said Jeremy had
a philosophical side that enabled him not to worry about life
in a war zone. "He believed the journey was more important
than the destination, even if you didn't get where you planned
to go," Tom said. In addition to his wife, SSG Horton is
survived by his father, Tim Horton, his mother, Gretchen Miller,
and his brother, Jason Horton. As reported
by: Milan Simonich, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 Valerie
Thompson, proud wife of Sgt. Anthony O. Thompson
Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
College Award: $2,000.00
Sgt. Anthony Orlando thompson was killed when his unit was
ambushed with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades
in Tikrit, Iraq, on September 18, 2003. He was with Headquarters
Battery, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry
Division based out of Ft. Hood, Texas. Sgt. Thompson was 26
years old. He was a faithful friend to all who knew him, said
his sister, Mary Ellen Bell. "He was a husband, a father,
a son, a brother, a soldier and a good friend," Bell said.
The Branchville native was one of five children, but known as
the "little baby," Bell said. He played football and
basketball at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School before graduating
in 1995. He joined the Army on Nov. 7, 1996. Sgt. Thompson married
his high school sweetheart, Valerie Green. They have a 5 year
old son, Jaykwon Thompson.
 Heather
Wetherbee, proud wife of 1st Lt. Alexander E. Wetherbee
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
College Award: $1,000.00
1st Lt. Alexander E. Wetherbee died of injuries received from
enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on September 12, 2004.
First Lt. Wetherbee, an assault amphibious vehicle officer,
was serving his second deployment to Iraq in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom since joining the Marine Corps on Dec. 22, 2001.
He was assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st
Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton
in California. He was 27 years old. While in college, he attended
recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego,
where he was platoon honorman and was promoted meritoriously
to lance corporal. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant
through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program (Marine Option)
after his graduation from the University of Idaho. Wetherbee
was a "go-for-it-guy" who enjoyed rock and ice climbing,
kayaking and backpacking. When not on military training during
summers at college, he worked as an instructor for Outward Bound.
"He did things he believed in," said Mike Beiser,
coordinator of outdoor programs at the University of Idaho.
"Alex is not the kind of person that would be in the back
or the middle; he would be in the front." He was stationed
at Camp Pendleton. Described as a 6-foot-4-inch "stringy
guy," Wetherbee was born into a Foreign Service family
and lived in Ethiopia, India, Norway and Pakistan before graduating
from high school in Virginia. He received a degree in forest
resources in 2001 from University of Idaho, where he was active
in the forest-fire control program and was featured in an instructional
climbing video. He was on his second deployment ot Iraq.
These awards totaling $18,000.00 were made possible through
donations received by the public, charity events held by other
organizations and businesses and fundraisers held by the Children
of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund. ™
We thank all who contribute to our efforts to
help families of our U.S. military. To the families of our brave,
one of the most valuable and precious things that we have been
guaranteed is the "gift" of freedom and we have your
service member to thank for that. We also thank you for all
your sacrifices at home, you are heroes to us all. For further
information, please contact us at info@cfsrf.org
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