Courtney Robinson
Foundation began in 1980 as the Col. Arthur D.
The Special Operations Warrior "Bull" Simons Scholarship
Fund. The Bull Simons Fund was creat- ed after the Iranian hostage rescue attempt to provide college educations for the 17 children surviving the nine special operations men killed or inca- pacitated at Desert One. It was named in honor of the legendary Army Green Beret who repeatedly risked his life on rescue missions. Following creation of
the United
States Special Operations Command, and as casualties mounted from actions such as Operations "Urgent Fury" (Grenada),
"Just Cause" (Panama),
"Desert Storm" (Kuwait and Iraq), and "Restore Hope" (Somalia), the Bull Simons Fund gradually expanded its outreach program to encompass all Special Operations Forces. Thus, in 1995 the Family Liaison Action Group (established to support the families of the 53 Iranian hostages) and the Spectre (Air Force gunship) Association Scholarship Fund merged to form the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
In 1998, the Warrior
Foundation extended the scholarship and financial aid counseling to also include training fatalities since the inception of the Foundation in 1980. This action immediately added 205 children who were now eligible for col- lege funding. The Warrior Foundation’s mission
is to provide a college education to every child who has lost a parent while serving in the U. S. Special Operations Command and its units during an operational or training mission. Special
ROTORCRAFTPROFESSIONAL
Operations Forces covered by
the
Special Operations Warrior Foundation include, but are not limited to, Army Rangers and Special Forces personnel, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps and Air Force special operations per- sonnel. These personnel are stationed in units throughout the United States and overseas bases. The Warrior Foundation also pro- vides immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in operations so their loved ones can be by their bedside during their recovery. To date, the foundation has provided more than $1.2 million to the families of wounded special opera- tions personnel. Today, the Warrior Foundation is
currently committed to providing scholarship grants, not loans, to more than 800 children. These children sur- vive over 750 Special Operations per- sonnel who gave their lives in patriotic service to their country, including those who died fighting our nation’s war
against terrorism as part
“I want to thank the Special Operations Warrior Foundation so much for everything they’ve done for
me...and for my sister. They really did so much for us that I can’t thank them enough.”
Courtney Robinson (left) and her sister, Hillary. They are the daughters of Army Lt. Col. Craig Robinson, Special Forces, who lost his life in 1994. Courtney and Hillary both graduated from the UNC - Chapel Hill.
Yvette Plumoff
“The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been a God-send! I know no matter what else happens along the path, Gavyn-Ruark will have a higher education and will be able to provide a good life for himself and his future family. I know my husband rests more peacefully know- ing there are people who truly care and ha ve stepped up to help his son.”
Yvette and Steven Plumhoff celebrate Gavyn-Ruark’s first birthday. Major Steven Plumhoff lost his life in a helicop- ter crash in 2003.
Steven Voigt of
“Operation Enduring Freedom” in Afghanistan and the Philippines as well as “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Children from all military services
have received or been offered Special Operations Warrior Foundation schol- arships. To date, 175 children of fallen special operations warriors have gradu- ated college with the assistance of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Currently enrolled in col- leges and universities across the coun- try are 141 sons and daughters of fallen special operations warriors. ◆
44
“I want to thank everyone at the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for making a college education possible and for always being there for me.”
Steven Voigt, Jr., son of Navy Petty Officer First Class Steven Voigt, SEAL Team Eight, who died in 1996. Steven is a student Athens Technical College.
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