My father is a retired Marine Corps battalion Sergeant Major who served for nearly 30 years in the Marine Corps. He is an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. when he was ten years old. All he wanted to do was join the Marine Corps and did so as soon as he graduated high school at just 17 years old.

Being the daughter of a Marine Corps Sergeant Major, I was born with the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage, & Commitment instilled in me from birth. Being a military family is a privilege and has taught me what it is like to lead a life of service.

My father was not always there for holidays or family events because he would be away for drill weekends. He also served in Operation Desert Storm and was gone for 6 months serving his country. I will never forget, despite being young, the tough conversations that happen when a family member goes off to war.

Being a child of a military family, especially the child of a Marine, is a special group to belong to and one that I am honored to be a part of.

I am extremely honored to now be an MCSF staff member. Not only can I pay it forward to fellow Marine children, but I can honor the service of my father and other Marines by educating their children.

I have run the Marine Corps Marathon many times and have always loved their motto: Always Earned, Never Given.

As a scholarship recipient myself, I know firsthand the life-changing impact these scholarships provide. I will forever be indebted to all our investors. The fact that they have given & continue to give so generously of themselves to support the children of Marines means more than they will ever know.

We think Margo said it best – the Marine family is truly a special group of people to belong to. Thank you for being part of our community that will leave no eligible Marine family behind. And thank you for helping us celebrate military children, not just in April, but all year long.

Semper Fidelis,

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

P.S. If you’d like to make a Month of the Military Child donation and Honor Marines by Educating Their Children, we’ll make sure your investment is put to good use. Thank you.