You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘U.S. veterans’ tag.
Enter a caption
Left to right are SILVAR Los Altos/Mountain View District Chair Katherine Frey, President Karen Trolan, President-elect Denise Welsh, De Anza College Development Director Dennis Cima, Dean of the Disability Resource Center & Veterans Programs at Foothill College Teresa Ong, Foothill-De Anza Colleges Foundation Executive Director Tess Chandler, and Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation President Eileen Giorgi. the presentation took place at the December 16 Los Altos/Mountain View District Holiday Breakfast at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club.
The Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), has created a scholarship endowment for student veterans at Foothill and De Anza Colleges. “The John Tripp-Silicon Valley REALTORS® Veterans Scholarship Endowment” was formally presented to officials of both colleges last week at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club.
The scholarship endowment was created by the REALTOR® foundation in memory of John Tripp, a longtime REALTOR® who died on December 27, 2015. Tripp was a veteran of the Korean War and served his country with honor and distinction from 1947 to 1956.
A REALTOR® for over 50 years and past president of SILVAR and its charitable foundation, Tripp was instrumental in “REALTORS® Honor Veterans,” the fundraising event held last year to establish a veterans scholarship fund to support eligible U.S. veterans residing in SILVAR’s traditional service area who wish to further their education. The event raised approximately $40,000.
Earlier this year, the foundation presented $10,000 each to Palo Alto University and West Valley College. The remaining funds went to the scholarship endowment to Foothill-De Anza Foundation, an auxiliary organization of the Foothill-De Anza Community Colleges District.
“In all he did, John emphasized education, ethics and the Golden Rule. The opportunity to grow through education was very near and dear to his heart, and with the establishment of this endowment, we honor his contributions to our community and our profession,” said Charitable Foundation president Eileen Giorgi.
“This is a perpetual scholarship that will grow through the years and be here even after we are all gone,” said Tess Chandler, executive director of Foothill-De Anza Foundation. “This endowment will give our student veterans from both colleges needed assistance to reach their academic goals.”
The endowment will pay out a $1,000 award each year – $500 for a student veteran on each campus. The awards can be used for book vouchers student fees and/or other education expenses.
Left to right are Lehua Greenman (Membership Committee Chair), SILVAR President Chris Isaacson, Joe Brown, San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum, Larry Tringali, Steve Trolan, Supervisor Joe Simitian (who served as auctioneer), Tom Gordon, Bill Weseloh, Mike Frangadakis, Kelly Hutter, Derrick Felton, Bill Moody and Frank Limon.
SILVAR members honored the country’s veterans this week, including their own, at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. More than 150 members and guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, beverages and live music, while bidding on fabulous items at the live and silent auctions on Wednesday night. Thanks to the generous donations from sponsors and members who bid generously, the event grossed over $45,000 for the SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is a new component of the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation’s focus on education. The scholarship fund will support eligible U.S. veterans and eligible dependents of deceased veterans residing in SILVAR’s traditional service area who wish to further their education.
Leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance was Bill Weseloh, a longtime SILVAR member and U.S. veteran. Tina Kyriakis, also a SILVAR member, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Serving as masters of ceremonies were Santa Clara County District 5 Supervisor Joe Simitian, who also was the evening’s auctioneer, and Lehua Greenman, Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation trustee and chair of SILVAR’s Membership Committee.
SILVAR President Chris Isaacson and Greenman welcomed guests to the special event. They recognized special guests present, including San Mateo County District 4 Supervisor Warren Slocum, who is also a U.S. veteran, having served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam 1966-67. They noted the country’s veterans have made many sacrifices “so we can live free and with liberty.”
A highlight of the event were the presentations of the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition “for outstanding and invaluable service to the community” from U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo and a Certificate of Commendation from the County of Santa Clara presented by County Supervisor Joe Simitian to the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® and all REALTOR® Veterans.
The presentations were followed by a recognition of all U.S. veterans present at the event, including those who had registered, but were unable to be present that evening. Recognized at the podium were Supervisor Slocum, Bill Weseloh (U.S. Army), Frank Limon (U.S. Army 1965-68, Vietnam 1965-67), Mike Frangadakis (Vietnam 1967-70, currently with the California State Military Reserve); Derrick Felton, (U.S. Army 1988-1992, Persian Gulf), Tom Gordon (U.S. Air Force 1984-1988, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.); Steve Trolan (U.S. Army 1981-85, Fort Shafter, HI 1987-1994, U.S. Army Reserve, 12th Special Forces); Larry Tringali (U.S. Navy Corpsman 1967-69), Kelly Hutter (U.S. Air Force 1985-1993), Bill Moody (U.S. Army, Vietnam 1966-68); John Tripp (Pacific Theater, 1947-1956); and Joe Brown (U.S. Air Force 1969-73, Vietnam 1970-71).
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 