Legion, Samsung to honor scholarship recipients
The Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

Legion, Samsung to honor scholarship recipients

For the first time in their 18-year relationship, The American Legion and Samsung are hosting a special recognition for the 2013 recipients of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The nine recipients will be in Washington, D.C., June 1-2 to be honored for their $20,000 scholarship achievement with a tour of the Korean War Memorial, breakfast at the Legion's D.C. office and a luncheon at the National Press Club.

In 1996, Samsung, the South Korean multinational electronics leader, endowed an educational scholarship fund of $5 million to The American Legion for administration to direct descendants of U.S. war veterans. It was a gesture of appreciation from Samsung to U.S. military veterans for coming to the aid of South Korea in its war against invading forces from China and North Korea. Through interest earned on the fund’s principal, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $4.9 million in grants to nearly 1,700 eligible applicants, giving young men and women an opportunity to achieve a higher education.

The Legion recognized Samsung’s generosity by presenting the company with its 2013 Patriot Award on Aug. 27 during the Legion’s 95th national convention in Houston.

Staff members from Samsung's North America headquarters in Ridgefield Park, N.J., will be in attendance for the luncheon, including Vice President Adam Yates and Director of Corporate Citizenship Ann Woo. Keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Dr. Rachel C. Forbes, a first-year recipient of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship, and American Legion Past National Commander William Detweiler will also be present to speak to the scholarship recipients. During his time as national commander, Detweiler accepted the $5 million endowment on behalf of The American Legion from Samsung.

The 2013 Samsung scholarship recipients that will be honored include:

Cameron Akker of Sammamish, Wash.

Tery Burt of Chesnee, S.C.

Dallas Debruin of Greenfield, Ohio

Megan Kelley of Danbury, Neb.

Gabrielle Lessen of Alexandria, La.

Austin Owen of Vestavia Hills, Ala.

Gregory Scalise of Brewster, Mass.

Aidan Schneider of Flagstaff, Ariz.

Troy Timmerman of Marshall, Minn.