Folds of Honor: Scholarship winners announced
Charleston, WV (July 1, 2015) - Two local military families will each benefit from a $5,000 educational
scholarship through a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation. The contributions come from Proud Eagle Inc., a locally owned and operated Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor, and the West Virginia Power, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The two local recipients are James Edward Dunlap and William "Todd" Barker. They will be presented their scholarships during the pregame ceremonies prior to the Power game at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston on Saturday, July 4, at 6:30 pm.
"This donation is our way of saying thank you to our West Virginia veterans and their families and honoring their sacrifices made for our freedom," said Jim Linsenmeyer, COO of Proud Eagle Inc. "We hope to continue
supporting the Folds of Honor Foundation, our veterans and their families in the future."
James Edward Dunlap is the son of United States Army Staff Sergeant James Shannon Dunlap. While SSGT Dunlap was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, he was wounded in combat. SSGT Dunlap received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star medal in addition to his combat action badge. James will be a freshman at Marshall University in the fall. He hopes to study Business Administration with a minor in graphic arts.
Todd Barker is the son of Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Delmas Barker. SFC Barker served
honorably for over 16 years in the National Guard, including deployments to the Middle East. Todd studies civil
engineering at West Virginia University where he is a junior.
The Folds of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower military families by providing educational scholarships and other assistance for the children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.
Proud Eagle Inc. services 12 West Virginia counties from distribution facilities in South Charleston and
Parkersburg. Proud Eagle has strong ties to the local community, actively providing charitable contributions and volunteering at local causes.
"We're incredibly grateful for the support of Proud Eagle and the West Virginia Power," said Major Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor. "Providing these scholarships means giving our military families the opportunities they deserve to grow and thrive. Our goal is to honor our military's sacrifices by educating their legacy, and this generous donation by Proud Eagle and the West Virginia Power has given us the means to change lives in West Virginia."
Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 7,500 educational scholarships to meet an ongoing need in our country. Scholarship candidates can apply by completing an online application at
FoldsofHonor.org.
About the Folds of Honor Foundation
Folds of Honor Foundation was founded in May 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 Fighter Pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, PGA Professional, and USGA member. A decorated military pilot in the
Oklahoma Air National Guard, Major Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. It was after his second tour, while a passenger on a commercial flight, that Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board - Corporal Brock Bucklin. And his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin's family receives him in his final homecoming." Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.
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