Lessons from a fallen hero resonate

Chelsea Briggs spends a lot of her time at the Survivor Outreach Services at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

The 18-year-old college freshman conducts research and counsels other children at the outreach center, where dozens of framed photographs of fallen heroes line the walls. Among those depicted is Air Force Staff Sgt. Raymond Briggs, who died Dec. 1, 2010.

“I do a lot of community service at the survivors center,” she said. “I really like to help other people.”

That would make her dad proud. Briggs coached youth sports and was known for assisting others, no matter when the help was needed. “My dad was always the type where if someone called him for help, he would go right over and help them, even if it was at night after work.”

Now, Chelsea is on the receiving end of help. Thanks to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, she is going to the University of Hawaii, West Ohau, to study finance – a field her father encouraged.

“My dad always talked about how he wanted me to go college and I know it’s really important,” she said. “Since he is not here, it’s really hard. But I wanted to get an education without the worry of working and just focus on school.”

The Legacy Scholarship Fund is for children of fallen servicemembers who died on active duty since 9/11. Additionally, children of post-9/11 servicemembers who have a VA disability rating of 50 percent are also eligible, starting this year. The application deadline is April 20.

“It helps a lot with books,” says Chelsea, who is able to continue her community service while taking classes. “Right now I am taking five classes so it really helps to have it pay for them. And it helps with paying to take each class and so that I can focus on school instead of getting a part-time job.”

She encourages other eligible college students – including those in grad school – to apply.

“It’s really important to go to college and make your loved one proud,” said Chelsea, who wears her dad’s dog tags every day. “And to be a good role model for others. No matter what you go through in life, there are always things you can look forward to, like going to college. And you’ll be able to look back and think that your loved one is so proud of you for going to college without them. I know daddy will be proud of me for doing well in college. ”

Chelsea is also setting an example for her younger siblings, her 16-year-old sister, Mylia, and 11-year-old brother, KaiRay.

Briggs understood the importance of a college education, even though his family couldn’t afford it for him. He joined the Army after high school, then the National Guard and, in 2001, the Air Force. “He’s just always with us every day and that helps me through the grieving process,” Chelsea said.

Families like the Briggs are those who the Legion seeks to help through the scholarship fund.

“I really appreciate those who are supportive of the Legacy Scholarship because it really makes a difference in our lives to know that people care and they help us get an education,” Chelsea said. “Sometimes it’s hard to even wake up because I miss my dad. But just to know that there are people in the world who care for us, it’s really special.”

American Legion Riders raise money for the scholarship throughout the year, most notably on the annual Legacy Ride to the Legion’s national convention.

“It’s so special how they (American Legion Riders) are veterans and they are helping us out,” Chelsea said. “It’s so neat that they do what they do to help others. I want to thank The American Legion for helping me out to go to college. It helps me to live out my dad’s legacy and do well because my dad always had a big heart. And he was always there for my family.”

Chelsea has designs on carving out her own legacy.

“My dream is to become an FBI agent to help the community, or anything with criminal justice,” she said. “I want to be there to help the community and protect people, just like my dad did.”

The American Legion National Headquarters is looking for posts in five different states to test market new materials available to promote The American Legion Legacy Scholarship. Learn more here.