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TMS lead Vet Clinic and Vet Court

Tillman Military Scholars at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law are creating a veterans’ advocacy center to provide legal assistance to Arizona’s veterans. Through the center, TMS Dane Parker, April Ellsworth and Matt Randle work to defend their fellow veterans in Tucson City Veteran’s Court.

TMS Dane Parker and April Ellsworth working in Vet Court.

The University of Arizona Tillman Military Scholar law students also help the Vet Court’s presiding judge, Hon. Michael Pollard (a Vietnam vet), with the Tucson Stand Down and provide a continuing legal education session to Arizona’s attorneys in order to help lawyers understand veterans as clients.

TMS April Ellsworth with Judge Pollard at the Tucson Stand Down.

Next semester, they will begin appeals of denials of VA benefits and assist Arizona’s Native vet population with legal matters specific to the Tribes.

The veteran’s advocacy center is being directed by alumni TMS and recent Rogers College of Law graduate Kris Carlson.

Tillman Military Scholars April Ellsworth, Matt Randle, Kris Carlson and Dane Parker in the Vet Clinic office at Rogers College of Law.

Posted in Alumni, Blog, Service, Tillman Military Scholars, University Partners | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reflections from the Front Lines: Guest Blogger

Guest Blogger: Robin Williams, Tillman Military Scholar Class 2, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego

On November 30, I joined three other fellow Marine Corps student veterans (Patrick Pennel-Pepperdine, Michael Hansen-SDSU and Rich Cervantes-SDSU) for Reflections from the Front Lines, fundraising panel discussion hosted by the San Diego Diplomacy Council at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at USD.

Reflections from the Front Lines Panel Flyer

The purpose of this event was to discuss how the lives of local San Diego veterans had been transformed by tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. We were asked to share and reflect upon our individual deployments. Discussion topics included:

  • What were the most profound moments of our experience?
  • How did these wars influence the next steps in our lives?
  • What would we want to tell future generations about war?
  • What do we think was accomplished for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan?

Tillman Military Scholar Robin Williams speaks on the Reflections from the Front Lines panel. Photo by Ryan Talbot of The Shutter Project.

It was a great event with excellent turnout and audience participation and all proceeds from this event went to the Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), one of my favorite organizations in San Diego.

Robin Williams (2nd from Right) joins a panel hosted by the San Diego Diplomacy Council. Photo by Ryan Talbot of The Shutter Project.

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NFL-TMS D’Onior Felton Recognized

2011 NFL-Tillman Military Scholar, Navy Petty Officer Third Class D’Onior Felton of Clarksdale, Mississippi, was recognized this past Sunday, December 11 before the Washington Redskins game against the New England Patriots at FedEx Field.

NFL-Tillman Military Scholar D'Onior Felton on the field at FedEx Field.

In June 2010, the NFL and Pat Tillman Foundation established the NFL-Tillman Military Scholar award to annually honor an individual who exemplifies Pat’s enduring legacy of service. The scholarship is part of the Tillman Military Scholars program established by the Pat Tillman Foundation to support educational opportunities for veterans and active service members and their spouses by filling the financial gaps in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The Tillman Military Scholars program covers direct study-related expenses such as tuition and books, as well as other basic needs such as housing and childcare.

D’Onior, who is currently a medical student at George Washington University, developed a passion for medicine while serving in the Navy as a surgical technologist. During that time, she gained the confidence to interact with physicians and set her sights on becoming a doctor one day. Felton earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland University College while serving on active duty. After discharging in 2005, she completed all the necessary pre-med prerequisites and applied to  medical school.

“D’Onior’s military experience and training opened her eyes to a career she had never really considered,” said Marie Tillman, Chair and President of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “As a doctor, she wants to provide health care to underserved communities in the southern U.S. and through her career in public health, carry on Pat’s legacy of leadership and service. It’s an honor to recognize her as this year’s NFL-Tillman Military Scholar.”

Felton plans to enter pediatric or emergency medicine for her residency, with a focus on infectious disease. Her aim is to eventually practice medicine in a medically underserved community of the U.S. while also working with a community health care center near to her home state of Mississippi.

“We are pleased to continue our work with the Tillman Foundation on the NFL-Tillman Military Scholar program,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Pat Tillman means so much to the NFL family, and we congratulate D’Onior on receiving this year’s honor.”

Since the Foundation’s inception, the NFL has recognized Tillman’s heroic sacrifice for his country in a variety of ways that celebrate his memory.

UPDATE: Inaugural NFL-Tillman Military Scholar, Patrick Nelson, completed his bachelor’s degree in sports management and history in May and started a master’s in sports management this semester. This past year, Nelson interned with the Minnesota Vikings.

Posted in Marie Tillman, Media, Pat Tillman Foundation, Press Release, Tillman Military Scholars | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Veterans Month, In Review

This past month, Tillman Military Scholars and PTF Board and Staff members joined together in service and awareness-building events around the U.S. Take a look back at the Pat Tillman Foundation’s impact during Veterans Month 2012.

Service and Awareness Events

New York City

New York City Tillman Military Scholars joined with MissionServe, Bank of America and HBO, along with PTF staff members, to prepare emergency packets for homeless veterans in the city. Before the project, they also braved the cold to talk about their efforts on Good Morning America.

TMS Cormick Wong, Michael McDonald and Korey Calloway.

TMS Rudy Rickner (right) joins fellow Veterans Day volunteers on Good Morning America.

People Magazine Photo Shoot

NYU TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson joined PTF President Marie Tillman for a People Magazine photo shoot for a “Heroes Among Us” article.

TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson with Marie Tillman.

Blue Bloods Set Visit

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer joined Team Tillman and PTF partner veterans on set in Brooklyn with Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck and Bridget Moynahan.

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer with Tom Selleck and PTF veteran supporters.

San Diego

Robin, Yana and her husband Arthur prepared lunch and dinner for the residents of the Veterans Village of San Diego while they marched in the San Diego County Veterans Day Parade. When the residents returned, TMS served lunch to over 300 residents and family members alongside some of VVSD’s current residents. Later, there was a brief ceremony/celebration of the Marine Corps’ 236th Birthday with Arthur being asked to help cut the cake as he was the youngest Marine on site. For those not familiar with Marine Corps Birthday tradition, the oldest Marine and youngest Marine take part in cutting the birthday cake.

TMS Robin Williams (middle left) and Yana Mukvich (right) with Yana's husband Arthur.

Los Angeles

Along with other volunteers, TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer planted approximately 40 Valencia trees at the VA Westwood campus in Los Angeles. As Nicole states it, “The energy of the day was rich with the willingness to serve; to give back to those, past and present, who have given so much to this country. It was an honor to be a part of such a day!”

TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer (with friend).

Tampa Bay

A week prior to Veterans Day, TMS Dave Warden, Grey Leonard and Josiah Hill rehabbed stables and riding areas for the Quantum Leap Farms, an equine therapy center serving disabled children and military in the Tampa area.

TMS Dave Warden and Josiah Hill.

University of South Florida

TMS Grey Leonard was the Master of Ceremonies as members of the Special Operations Parachute Demonstration Team kicked off the second annual Veterans Week Celebration at the University of South Florida Tuesday with a drop on the green next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.

TMS Grey Leonard.

Michigan

University of Michigan-Flint TMS Kyle Caywood and Tiffany Johnson were recognized by their Chancellor at the Veterans Day program – where Kyle served as MC. Later the next week, they met up with University of Michigan TMS John Shriver and Lindsay Compton to discuss Pat’s Run in April 2012.

Michigan TMS Kyle Caywood, John Shriver, Tiffany Johnson and Lindsay Compton.

Baltimore

TMS Rich Blake spoke with WYPR – Baltimore’s local NPR station – about Veterans Day and the work he and fellow veterans are conducting in local Baltimore neighborhoods. Listen to Rich’s interview.

TMS Rick Blake (2nd from left) in studio at Baltimore's WYPR.

University of Maryland

TMS Shelly Burgoyne spoke at the University of Maryland’s annual Veterans Day celebration.

Look for her at the end of this video.

Harvard

Harvard Business School’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, spearheaded by TMS Danny Cho, welcomed 300 people to the HBS’s Armed Forces Alumni Association “Leadership Through Service” celebration and reception. Danny gave the welcoming speech, followed by Ian Walsh, SVP of Textron Systems and the club’s founding member, and Charles Bolden, the current NASA Administrator spoke about their views on what it means to be a veteran and what value veterans bring to the workforce.

TMS Danny Cho.

San Jose

Pat Tillman Foundation board member Alex Garwood participated in an honorary puck drop when the San Jose Sharks hosted the Phoenix Coyotes over Veterans Day weekend.

PTF Board Member Alex Garwood drops the opening puck. Pictured here with team captains Joe Thornton and Shane Doan.

Public Recognitions

Tillman Military Scholars were publicly recognized for Veterans Day on campuses across the country:

PTF Program Coordinator (center) with University of Maryland TMS Roel Mora, Kevin Kim, Josie O’Regan and Louis Thorne at the 4th Annual Veterans Reception.

San Diego State University TMS Yana Mukvich and Robin Williams recognized during the SDSU vs. University of Wyoming football game.

University of Oregon TMS Jeff Meray, Bryan Boender, Ryan Williams and Kelly Christensen recognized at the Veterans Day Ceremony.

Texas A&M University TMS Susan Stallings, Marisela Spangler and Cameron McCoy are recognized at the Veterans Day Brunch.

PTF Director of Programs Hunter I Riley alongside Mississippi State University TMS Mark Edwards, Janice Cunningham, Trish Pohlhaus, Ryan Bear, Samantha Hill and Catherine Turner at Veterans Day Scholarship Dinner.

University of South Florida TMS Josiah Hill, Dave Warden and Grey Leonard are recognized on the field at the USF vs. University of Miami football game.

University of Arizona TMS April Ellsworth, Martin Stahl and Matt Randle are recognized on the field at the Arizona State vs. Arizona football game (standing next to the PT42 gate).

To top off Veterans Day celebrations and events, NFL-Tillman Military Scholar D’Onior Felton will be recognized on the field at the December 11 Washington Redskins game.

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Team Tillman supports TMS and vice versa

On October 9, October 30 and November 6, Team Tillman members conquered the streets of Chicago, D.C. and New York, respectively, to raise awareness and funds for the Tillman Military Scholars program.

TMS Roel Mora, Brian Wotring and Caleb Lesselles support fellow TMS Liz O'Herrin during the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon.

Out on the courses to cheer them on were Tillman Military Scholars and Pat Tillman Foundation staff members – showing appreciation for the marathoners and carrying them through the race with encouragement. The following Tillman Military Scholars also joined the ranks of Team Tillman marathoners:

Steve Buchanan, Bank of America Chicago Marathon: 4:26:58

Elizabeth O’Herrin, Marine Corps Marathon: 5:29:31

Michael McDonald, Marine Corps Marathon: 4:38:55

Michael Trent, ING New York City Marathon: 3:06:41

Posted in Alumni, Event, Service, Staff, Team Tillman, Tillman Military Scholars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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