It's that time of year again - your chance to make a difference! 2024 marks the twenty-third 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. 2023 was another great year for our scholarship program. Bravo Zulu for your outstanding generosity. Over the past twenty-two years, your collective giving has yielded $150,000 in scholarships, helping some 70 students achieve their educational goals. Awards have been presented to some 26 NROTC midshipmen, nine Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program Officer Candidates, 19 Marines in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), and 16 descendants of association members. In 2023, 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. One to a NROTC MIDN 2/C at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN; A MIDN 2/C at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS; a descendant of a Little Rock sailor attending George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Please refer to the scholarship section of our website to find details on all our scholarship presentations.

Last year your giving was outstanding, your generosity allows our Scholarship Committee to continue making awards to deserving applicants each year. If you wish to make scholarship donations, make your checks out to the "USS Little Rock Association Scholarship Fund. If you wish to donate, please mail your check to: Bill Stowell - Treasurer 1 Elfin Place Middlebury, CT 06762. You can be confident that your donation will make a difference to some very deserving students. I offer this comment received in 2023:

The following is a thank you note from MIDN 2/C Puntney from The University of Kansas:

"I am grateful to the USS Little Rock Association and Mr. Kirkendall for the interest they have taken in the education of future Naval officers. When first reading about the scholarship, I was inspired by the abundant commitment and dedication you all have to your communities and fellow shipmates. These values were embodied by Mr. Kirkendall, who took the time to visit the NROTC unit at the University of Kansas. Hearing him speak about the rich history and the deeply rooted brotherhood that the USS Little Rock possesses was a privilege. We were extremely flattered to have the opportunity to host him in our hometown.

Humbled to be called a recipient of this scholarship, I am spurred on to show the selflessness and generosity that has been given to me. The support of this association greatly contributes to my dreams of a commission in the Marine Corps. I am proud to be a part of this community. Thank you for entrusting your faith in me. It encourages me to strive to be better every day."

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

Click HERE for a printable copy of this letter