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 approval of the following recipient educational and/or financial awards:

Rachelle Arroyave, proud wife of SSG Jimmy J. Arroyave
Hometown: Woodlands, CA

College Grant: $1,945.00
Financial Assistance: $16,916.00
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

1^st 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.

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.

Cornell Gilmore, Jr. - proud son of Army Command Sgt. Major Cornell W. Gilmore I
Hometown: Baltimore, MD 
College Award: $15,000.00

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: $25,000.00

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.

Sara Beth Felts, proud daughter of Col. Thomas H. Felts, Sr.
Hometown: Sandstone, VA
Award: $24,000.00
LeAnn Felts, proud daughter of Col. Thomas H. Felts, Sr.
Award: $21,000.00

Col. Felts died on November 14, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Col. Thomas H. Felts Sr., 45, of Sandston, Va. was assigned to the Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Col. Felts volunteered for Iraq duty to prepare himself for becoming a military teacher. He had been scheduled to visit his family for Thanksgiving. He leaves behind his wife, Kim, three daughters and a son.

Jenniece Fraise, proud wife of Cpl. David A. Fraise
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Award: $2,000.00

Cpl. David M. Fraise, 24, of New Orleans, La., died June 7, 2004 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device hit his patrol. Fraise was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The Fraise's were devastated by Hurricaine Katrina and evacuated to Texas then Hawaii and returned to their home to begin the almost 2 year rebuilding of their lives. The remarkable strength and spirit that Jenniece displayed throughout still remains present in our minds. Cpl. Fraise leaves behind his wife and young daughter.

Jamelah Bush, proud daughter of Spc Charles E. Bush
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Award: $13,000.00

Spc Charles E. Bush 43, of Buffalo, New York was in a convoy in Balad, Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Riverdale Park, Maryland. Spc Bush died on December 19, 2003. He leaves behind his daughter, Jamelah her mother Jalelyah and his father Charles, Sr.

Ethan Leininger, proud son of CWO Eric A. Smith
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Award: $1,650.00

CWO Eric A. Smith 41 years of Rochester, N.Y. was killed in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash in central Iraq on April 2, 2003. CWO Smith was a 16 year Army veteran assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. His son Ethan was three years old when his father died, they had never met.

Jeralind N. Wilridge, proud wife of Sgt. Kelly A. Morris
Hometown: Boise, ID
Award: $3,750.00

Sgt. Kelly A. Morris 24 years old of Boise, Idaho died on March 30, 2005. Sgt. Morris died in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was the 17th soldier from the 3rd Infantry killed since its 19,000 troops deployed to Iraq in January for the division’s second tour of duty since the March 2003 invasion.He leaves behind a wife and stepson, Jermiah.

Dylan Stefani Layfield, proud son of Marine Lance Cpl. Travis J. Layfield
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Award: $5,200.00

Marine Lance Cpl Travis J. Layfield was 19 years old when he died due to hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc. has funds set aside for his son, Dylan's college education.

Sheila D. Mercado, proud wife of SSG Angel David Mercado Velazquez
Country: Puerto Rico
Award: $7,350.00

SSG Angel David Mercado Velazquez, HHC, 1st Battalion, 325th ID, 2 BCT, lost his life after serving in Iraq on 9/1/06. His 10 month old son, whom he never had the opportunity to hold, his 7 year old daughter and wife have been awarded $7,350.00 that will assist them with the reduction of their monthly mortgage, utilities and insurance.

Christian Hale-Barbret, proud son of PFC Mark A. Barbret
Hometown: Mount Clemens, MI
Award: $3,600.00

PFC Mark A. Barbret, 22, was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea and lost his life on Oct. 14, 2004 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy in Ramadi, Iraq. Also killed was Staff Sgt. Omer T. Hawkins II. PFC Barbret and Nicole Hale had a son, Christian who was 3 years old at the time of his father’s death.

Damian Weger, proud son of SPC Michael S. Weger
Hometown: Pascagoula, MS
Award: $11,000.00

SPC Michael S. Weger was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. SPC Weger lost his life on Oct. 12, 2004 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle in Baghdad. Also killed were Capt. Dennis L. Pintor and Spc. Jaime Moreno. He joined the Army after the terrorist attacks on September 11th.

Tristan Baker Willis, proud son of Spc Ryan T. Baker
Hometown: Browns Mills, NJ
Award: $4,200.00

Spc Ryan T. Baker 24, of Brown Mills, N.J.who was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. died on Nov. 15, 2003 when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq. Seventeen of our service members were killed that day and after hearing the news and praying for the military and their families our organization was driven to campaign for our families even harder that day as we continued to spread awareness in the community,

Benjamin J. Washington, proud son of SGT Bennie James Washington
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Award: $2,442.00

Sgt. Bennie James Washington, HHC, 44th Engineer Battalion, 2d ID (1 MEF), lost his life after serving in Iraq on 1/4/2005. His nine year old son and his mother from NJ have been awarded $2,442.00 that assisted them with rent and utility payments.

Tyler Acosta, proud son of Spc Genaro Acosta
Hometown: Fair Oaks, CA
Award: $5,000.00

Spc Genaro Acosta 26, of Fair Oaks, California died on November 11, 2003.
Acosta was on patrol when his Bradley vehicle hit and detonated two improvised explosive devices in Taji, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division (Mech), Fort Hood, Texas.

Gage Gebur, proud son of Spc Ronald Wayne Gebur
Hometown:
Award: $5,300.00

Spc Ronald Wayne Gebur 23, of Delavan, Ill. was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Spc Gebur died May 13, 2006 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad.

Jase D. Spargur, proud son of 1LT Jonathan Paul Brostrom
Hometown:
Award: $3,000.00

1LT Jonathan Paul Brostrom 24 years old, of Hawaii; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; died of wounds sustained when his outpost was attacked by small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13. Also killed were Sgt. Israel Garcia, Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, Cpl. Jason D. Hovater, Cpl. Matthew B. Phillips, Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey, Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling and Pfc. Sergio S. Abad.

Crockett, proud son
Hometown:
Award:

Darien Torres, proud son
Hometown:
Award:

Amy Dozier, proud wife
Hometown:
Award:

Kinshaza Williams, proud daughter
Hometown:
Award:

Captain Tommy Davis

Sgt Christopher Hermann, US Army Reserves

Sgt Todd Futter, US Army Reserves

Spc Travis Felton, US Army Reserves

Sgt Thomas Cordray, US Army Reserves

In accordance with guidelines set forth by the Grant Committee of the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc. our Grant Committee has approved financial assistance and college assistance to the following surviving children, spouses or disabled veterans and their families. Also in support of our disabled veterans and in conjunction with our mission we provide assistance to two non-profit organizations: 9-11 Help America Foundation and Operation First Response. These awards total more than $508,000.00.

College Scholarships (Scholarship funds may be disbursed semi-annually for the Spring and Fall semesters)

Rachelle Arroyave, Spouse ~ $1,945.00
Jamie Miller, Spouse ~ $2,500.00
Lisa Santoriello, Spouse ~ $5,000.00
Cornell Gilmore, Son ~ $15,000.00
Dawnita Gilmore, Daughter ~ $5,000.00
Valerie Thompson, Spouse ~ $2,000.00
Heather Wetherbee, Spouse ~ $1,000.00
Cristie Horton, Spouse ~ $25,000.00
Sarah Beth Felts, Daughter ~ $24,000.00
Dorene Buckhanan, Disabled Veteran ~ $20,000.00
Jessica Blankenbecler, Daughter ~ $8,000.00
LeAnna Felts, Daughter ~ $21,000.00
Keely Anderson, Daughter ~ $28,000.00
Natasha Mounsey, Daughter ~ $28,000.00

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