The Scholarship Committee of the 635th Armor Regiment and 137th Infantry Regiment Scholarship fund has announced the availability of four $500 education scholarships. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarship grants to direct descendants, legally adopted children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those that served honorably, to assist the recipients in attending accredited schools of higher learning. Applications will be accepted until March 30, 2020.
Eligibility for scholarships is linked to honorable service of parents and/or grandparents in the following past and present military organizations:
- 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Battalions of the 137th Infantry Regiment.
- 1st or 2nd Battalions of the 635th Armor Regiment.
- 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment.
- 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion (World War II).
The primary criteria upon which grants will be decided include: Scholastics, aptitude and involvement in the many forms of extracurricular activities (in and out of school), participation in civic and community services, career intentions with a special emphasis on service to state and nation, and for consideration, financial need. Contact retired Col. Robert Bloomquist at bbloom843@aol.com or 785-969-7548 for the application form or questions about eligibility.
This joint scholarship fund evolved from the 635th Armor Regimental Scholarship fund held at the Topeka Community Foundation which assists in managing the funds and providing donors with proper documentation for their tax-exempt donation. Scholarships have been granted over the years to a wide range of students, to include descendants of WW II Veterans (635th Tank Destroyer Battalion), and former and current members of the 635th Armor Regiment or 137th Infantry Regiment. Recipients of these scholarship funds have reflected immense appreciation for the assistance and have honored their recognition through exceptional effort in their post high school academic endeavors.
The Scholarship Program is managed by former members of the 137th Infantry and 635th Armor Regiments along with Infantry and Armor Officer and Enlisted representation from the 2-137th Combined Arms Battalion, Headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas.
This and next years scholarships are made possible by the generous donations of retired Maj. Gen. Jack Strukel Jr., retired Lt. Col. and Mrs. Larry Farmer and members of the 2-137th Combined Arms Battalion.
A major donation also came from the 17th annual Freedom Fest in Emporia, coordinated by Emporia Main Street and Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Harmon. This event is a way for the local community to get involved with raising funds for the All Veterans Memorial, scholarships for active duty and veteran soldiers and their families and launch a soldier care package program for Kansas soldiers
The committee in conjunction with the Topeka Community Foundation manages the 137th/635th Regiment Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in donating to this scholarship, you may contribute via the web site, www.topekacommunityfoundation.org or mail to Topeka Community Foundation, ATTN: 635th/137th Scholarship, 5431 SW 29th Street, Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66614-4486. Contributions are income tax deductible and easy to accomplish. One hundred percent of the administration fees are paid by investment return or covered by a board member, so the entire contribution goes to the scholarship.
For more information on the committee representatives, periodic updates on the fund or scholarship applications please contact Col. Robert Bloomquist at bbloom843@aol.com or 785-969-7548.