Students Receive Scholarships From Cumming Vietnam Veterans

CUMMING, GA — Nearly 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, five Georgians killed in that war were remembered with scholarships in their name awarded to Forsyth County high school graduates by the Cumming Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The scholarships in the amount of $1,500 recognize academic achievement, involvement in school activities and community service and an essay on the topic, “Why Freedom isn’t Free.”

At the awards' ceremony on July 14, the students and their families were presented their scholarships by surviving relatives of the men killed in action who were memorialized through scholarships in their name.

North Forsyth High School graduate Sydney Martin’s scholarship was presented by Rev. Sonya Young of Lithonia, whose father, Army SP4 George Lamar Young of Gainesville was killed in action in 1968.

North Forsyth High School graduate Julia Marie Watt’s scholarship was presented by Bea Rice, of Austell, and Merle Farist, of Marietta. Their brother, Army Sgt. Larry Franklin Davis of Ellijay was killed in action in 1970.

North Forsyth High School graduate Cohen Vail’s scholarship was presented by James Garrett, of Kennesaw, whose brother, Marine Corps Private Timothy O’Keefe was killed in action in 1968.

Two other graduates were unavailable for the ceremony and their awards will be presented in the coming weeks. They are:

• Forsyth Central High School graduate Sydney Moroney’s scholarship will be presented in memory of Navy Lt. William Lee Covington of Rome. Covington was killed in a helicopter crash in 1967.
• South Forsyth High School graduate Olivia Parsons’ scholarship will be presented in memory of the service and sacrifice of Air Force Airman First Class Anthony Coy of Atlanta killed when his cargo plane crashed in 1965.

“We are hopeful that through these scholarships we can both educate young people about the Vietnam War and more importantly to help ensure that we perpetuate the memory of the enormous sacrifice of these brave service members killed in Vietnam," Chapter 1030 President Gary Goyette said.

This marks the fifth year the chapter has conducted a scholarship program.