It's that time of year again - your chance to make a difference! 2021 marks the twentieth year of our Scholarship Program, and I am pleased to tell you that the program continues to be very strong, thanks to your consistent and active support. 2020 was another great year for our scholarship program. Bravo Zulu for your outstanding generosity. Over the past nineteen years, your collective giving has yielded $125,500 in scholarships, helping some 61 students achieve their educational goals. Awards have been presented to some 22 NROTC midshipmen, eight Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program Officer Candidates, 16 Marines in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), and 15 descendants of association members. In 2020, your generous giving enabled us to award 3 scholarships. If you have children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren in college make them aware of this financial opportunity and encourage them to apply. For more information on descendant scholarship eligibility, see the scholarship section of the Association's website (www.usslittlerock.org.)

It is a privilege and honor to serve with the other members of our scholarship committee. Last year we awarded three scholarships. Two of these went to NROTC Cadets at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and one to a Marine at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. Please refer to the scholarship section of our website to find details on all of our scholarship presentations.

Because of the events of the past year, we now find ourselves in a much different situation. Our scholarship account has adequate funds to support our applicants this year. However, for this year only, I am asking you to make your donations to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park because they were closed much of last year due to the pandemic. Our Association Officers and Directors authorized donations to the park for $7,500. However, the Park is faced with a significant financial shortfall, with the continued travel and in-person restrictions. If you wish to make donations to the Naval Park, to enable them to keep the lights on this year, checks should be made out to the "USS Little Rock Association." If you wish to make scholarship donations, make your checks out to the "USS Little Rock Association Scholarship Fund." Your choice. You may use the enclosed envelope to submit your donation. If you are viewing this letter on our website and wish to make a donation, please mail your check to: Frank Berglas - Treasurer 63 Barnes Rd, Stamford, CT 06902-1201. You can be confident that your donation will make a difference to the Naval Park or some very deserving students. I offer these comments received in 2020:

SSgt Michael J. Mallard: "I wanted to say thank you for selecting me for the USS LITTLE ROCK Association Scholarship. I was very humbled and honored to learn that I was the recipient of the scholarship and an honorary membership to your association. This is something that I will remember for the rest of my life."

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MIDN 2/C Delaney Hinkley: "To the exceptional men and women of the USS Little Rock Association, I am writing to thank you for awarding me with the humbling scholarship this Fall. I am overwhelmed with gratitude at the recognition of my service from those who have served at a greater degree and quality than I have yet to achieve. In the face of such uncertain times, the desire to help others in need is especially felt."

The bottom line is - your involvement is critical to our success. Invest now in our future generations. I thank each of you in advance for being a part of this very important outreach which provides vital financial support to the Naval Park and for members of our Navy, Marine Corps, and Little Rock families. Please give generously!

Sincerely,

Donald H. Elliott
President

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