VVA 1073 Reaches $58,300 Endowment Goal

Members of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1073 presented a check to Dr. Saul Reyes, president of Walters State, bringing their scholarship endowment to 58,300. From left are Chris Cates, assistant vice president for college advancement at Walters State; veterans Steve Candey; Charles Arrington, chaplain; Jack Weidman, president; Gene Simmons; Marvin Gilliam, secretary; William Mason; Fred Morreale, treasurer; Paul McLain, quartermaster; David Cox; Ted Kalagian, chapter state representative; Chuck Chapleau; and Reyes.

East Tennessee Veterans Fund Scholarship

For some, 58,300 is just a number. For veterans of the Vietnam War, this number holds special significance as the number of Americans lost in the conflict. The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1073 had that number in mind when the group endowed a scholarship with a $9,704 gift to the Walters State Foundation in 2018. 

“The goal was set to raise one dollar for every name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington and to leave a legacy for this chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Today, we have reached that goal with the presentation of a check for $9, to Walters State,” said Jack Weidman, president of the chapter. “We want to thank the community for all their support over the years.” 

Weidman said that the fundraising goal originated with the late Robert Russell, who served as associate professor of industrial technology at the college from its 1970 opening until his retirement in 2010. Russell was a Vietnam veteran and chapter member.

“We are grateful to this dedicated group for their service to our country and for the special relationship they have with Walters State,” said Dr. Saul Reyes, president of Walters State. “The college has a long-standing commitment to serving veterans and their families, and this scholarship will enable us to serve even more veterans in the future.”

The scholarship is earmarked for a direct descendant of a Vietnam veteran. The second priority is for an honorably discharged veteran of any branch of service. 

“We all know people listed on the wall,” said Fred Morrelle, the chapter’s treasurer. “This honors them.”

The group raised the money while continuing its other charitable commitments, including providing flags to classrooms and donations to food banks in Hamblen County. Group members also contributed. 

“We earmarked a percentage of the funds raised for this scholarship,” said Marvin Gilliam, secretary of the chapter. The chapter’s main fundraising projects are the meet-and-greet displays held several times a year at local retail establishments. 

The chapter has members throughout the Lakeway region. 

Having met the goal, the veterans group is not taking it easy. They plan to continue building the endowment. Scholarships will be given from the funds earned on the account, allowing the scholarship to continue in perpetuity.