Angels and the 10th Mtn Division

Soldiers’ Angels has once-again stepped in to help veterans, spouses and dependents who may have fallen through the cracks of support available for veterans and families.  Mike Plummer, President of National Association of the 10th Mountain Division explains:

An Unintended Inequity

The 10th Mountain Division was reactivated in Feb 1985 and since that time has been the most deployed division in the United States Army. By design and by hard won reputation, the division will remain extremely active in the years ahead in the Global War on Terrorism.

Here is the problem … the bi-laws of the 10th Mountain Division Foundation Scholarship Fund do not allow for current members of the 10th Mountain Division to be eligible for scholarship monies that have been collected and invested over the last 65 years. Rightfully, the original World War II Veterans who donated the money want it to go to their descendants. Since there are no Korean, Vietnam, Granada, Panama or Desert Storm 10th Mountain Veterans, we don’t have that funding source to help us make up the shortfall.  

This leaves the 10th Mountain Division (Light) without a self perpetuating scholarship fund like the rest of the Army's active duty divisions have. This is an unfortunate situation that has created an unintended inequity for those who serve America in the 10th Mountain Division.     

In order to correct this inequity, the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Inc. a 501(c)(19) organization formed a fund raising committee in 2006 to raise $5 Million for a self perpetuating scholarship fund. To date over $500,000 has been raised and the Association has been able to award five $5,000 scholarships in 2007, six in 2008, seven in 2009 and eight this year. The plan is to add one each following year.

Officials from the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division stand with three recipients (center) of $5,000 scholarships for post-WWI 10th Mtn. veterans and families.

Unfortunately at the rate the fund is currently growing it will take ten more years to achieve the $5 million required to provide a self perpetuating fund. With over 3,500 Soldiers currently deployed to Afghanistan and another 7,500 deploying this fall, the need for a self perpetuating fund scholarship fund is now.

The purpose of this article is to ask members and friends of the Soldiers Angels to assist us in shortening the time it takes to achieve our fund raising goal.  We need your donations and your help in identifying and contacting potential donors whom may be willing to make a donation or bequeath.

Donations should be made out to the Northern New York Community Foundation and on the “For” line, write 10th Mountain Division Scholarship Fund. Please mail checks to:

Northern New York Community Foundation  
HSBC Building, Suite 400
120 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Or, if you want to use a credit card click here.

Once your check has been processed you will receive a confirmation of receipt and the income tax information you need to deduct your tax-deductible gift. If you wish to donate stocks or property, please call Mr. Rande Richardson 315-782-7110 and he will advise you on how to maximize the tax benefits of your gift.   

If you want more information on the: National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Inc., please visit our web site or the Northern New York Community Foundation.  If you have any other questions, please contact me Mike Plummer at: plummike@aol.com.

Soldiers’ Angels has been proud to stand with Mike and his organization.  With the support of SA (and other donors), they recently awarded eight $5,000 scholarships to 10th Mountain veterans, spouses and children to assist them in attending community colleges and universities.