Folds of Honor awards student scholarships

June 26, 2012 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Major Ed Pulido, Vice President and Director of Public Relations for the Folds of Honor Foundation, presented two scholarships the children of veteran Chris Aranda.  Justin and Kaela Aranda each received $5,000 four-year scholarships.

Justin is currently a 20 year old student at the College of Charleston majoring in communications with a minor in political science. After the College of Charleston he plans to study law.  Kaela is currently a student at Socastee High School.  She is fifteen and also wishes to attend the College of Charleston.

Their father, Chris Aranda served with the U.S. Army, 3rd Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry from 2003-2009, is a disabled veteran and a recipient of the Bronze Star.   Aranda earned his Bronze Star serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  His citation commends his “bravery and heroism, calm demeanor while under hostile actions.”
L-R Justin, Kaela and Chris Aranda
After leaving the military, Aranda joined the Veterans Administration and established a Veterans Center focused on helping ex-military personnel transition to life after combat. The Horry County Vet Center, located at 2024 Corporate Centre Dr in Myrtle Beach, offers primarily counseling services but also coordinates community support for the veterans.  

In their remarks, both Justin and Kaela expressed appreciation to Folds of Honor for the scholarships, promised that they will make full use of them and appreciation for the community’s recognition of their father’s service to the nation.

The Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) has been a Tidewater Charity Golf Tournament charity recipient since 2010. FHF provides scholarships and other assistance for children and spouses of fallen or disabled servicemen and women. Over 700,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded in the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of January 1, 2012, over one million dependents have been adversely affected by multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 87% of the dependents affected by the recent wars do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. While the federal government provides some support for these families, it cannot succeed alone without proactive civilian organizations like FHF to assist.

FHF offers three types of scholarships: Immediate-Use Scholarships which are awarded to spouses and children of service members currently or recently accepted into a 4-year or 2-year degree program at an institute of higher education, or vocational program; Future-Use Scholarships: Awarded to the young children of service members and invested by FHF on their behalf and Children's Scholarship Fund: Awarded to children (K-12 grades) of eligible service members. Scholarship funds are distributed to the post-secondary educational institution at the time of enrollment.

In 2011 the FHF awarded two college scholarships to two local area students whose fathers were either killed or disabled while serving in the military.

The charity golf tournament is open to anyone and it is a great opportunity to contribute to local charities and FHF. The tournament entry fee is $125 per player prior to July 1st and $159 after July 1st. Entry forms are available on line at www.tidewatercharitytournament.com or by calling TCTC at 843-283-3752.  They may also be picked up at the Tidewater Pro Shop.

Golf tournament sponsorship opportunities are also available ranging from a tee sponsor for $150 to $10,000 for the rights to be the title sponsor.  Anyone interest in becoming a sponsor should go to the website for more information or contact Bill Pearson at 843-283-3752.