Warrior Foundation Assists Children of Fallen Special Operations Troops

Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides nearly $1 million in college scholarship grants to the children of fallen special operations personnel.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) February 7, 2007 -- One-hundred eleven children of fallen military special operations personnel have graduated college thanks to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation's college scholarship grants over the past 26 years.

The Warrior Foundation began soon after the U.S. military's rescue attempt of 53 American citizens being held hostage in Tehran, Iran, by Iranian militants in 1980. Tragically, two military aircraft collided and burned in the Iranian desert killing eight military special operations personnel. The deceased service members left behind 17 children whose ages ranged from 2 months to 15 years old.

It was on the Iranian desert floor, called "Desert One," that the survivors of the horrific accident decided to pass a hat for the children of the fallen.

"We decided that we would attempt to put the children through college," said John T. Carney, SOWF President and retired Air Force Colonel who was on the rescue attempt mission.

One of the foundation's first students was Dr. Jim Lewis, the son of C-130 pilot Capt. Hal Lewis, who perished at Desert One. Lewis attended medical school and today is a cancer doctor at the Moffett Cancer Center, Tampa, Fla.

The Foundation provides scholarship grants, not loans, for tuition, books, room and board for surviving children of active, Reserve or Guard military special operations personnel who are killed in combat or training mission.

"If the fallen warrior was assigned to special operations --- Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps - and they lose their life during training or during an operational mission, we will put their children through four years of college," said Carney.

Today, the Warrior Foundation has 109 students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. Next year, "we'll have as many as 120 students in college," explained Carney.

"It is the least we can do by relieving the soldier, sailor, airman or Marine of one concern - and that is their children's education should something happen to them," said Carney.

In 2006, the Warrior Foundation provided nearly $1 million in college scholarship grants and educational counseling to its students.

The Foundation also provides much-needed immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terror. In 2006, the Foundation provided $184,000 in financial assistance to wounded troops.

The Warrior Foundation is also the recipient of the highest rating (four stars) for financial efficiency by a charity watchdog group, Charity Navigator.

For additional information about the Warrior Foundation and its programs, please visit online at www.specialops.org or call 813-805-9400.

###