The Michael J. Palacio Scholarship
Donation protected
Have you ever wondered how people from completely different walks of life can come together to achieve a common goal, and embrace one another as family? One common factor that allows this to happen is when people unite to serve a cause higher than themselves. That cause may be in the immediate community, state, nation, or even the world. Regardless of where or how individuals choose to serve their fellow man, it is likely they will encounter other individuals of whom they have nothing in common. The remarkable part is not necessarily the service or the individuals, but the unbreakable bonds that are formed while serving together.
Michael Palacio, and scholarship founder Aaron Slate, joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007. Michael, a rockabilly, southern California native, met Aaron in 2010 while they were assigned to the same unit in Okinawa, Japan. Aaron was a good ole' southern boy from the small town of Greenbrier, Tennessee. Just looking at them, one would probably wonder what the two could possibly have in common. The answer was service to their unit, country, and eventually, supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.
While training to deploy to Afghanistan, the two became close friends and spent much of their time together. While in Afghanistan, the Marine were almost always assigned to different missions, but every time they saw one another it was like a family reunion. At one point they had begun talks of meeting one another's families after the deployment, but unfortunately things did not go as planned.
On March 29, 2012, about two months before the end of the deployment, Corporal Michael J. Palacio was killed in action while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. While leading a convoy providing security for a road construction team, Michael's armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb killing him and wounding two others.
Approximately six months later, Aaron separated from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge. At this time, he was able to travel to California to see Michael's final resting place and spend a short time with Michael's family. Since Michael's passing, Aaron had always dreamed of doing something to honor the life of his friend. In the Spring of 2017, Aaron was able to make his dream a reality, and founded "The Michael J. Palacio Scholarship for Diversity through Service." Recently, Aaron has appointed a board of directors, and is in the process of attaining 501(C)(3) status.
As a person, Michael always tried to make the best of every situation, and was often seen with a huge, cheesy grin on his face. He was also a friend to everyone he met. In the words of his mother, "Mikey was always a very friendly, outgoing, joking, loving, kind person. It didn't matter who it was. Boy, girl, big, small, black, white...he definitely did not discriminate. Looks or beliefs did not bother him. He was very open-minded, and just wanted everyone to be happy." Scholarship applicants should possess the high character and values that Michael demonstrated through life, and service.
Every year, two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded. One scholarship will be awarded to a student of El Modena High School in Orange, CA. The other scholarship will be awarded to a student of Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, TN. Each recipient will be selected and notified no later than his or her respective graduation date.
Michael Palacio, and scholarship founder Aaron Slate, joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007. Michael, a rockabilly, southern California native, met Aaron in 2010 while they were assigned to the same unit in Okinawa, Japan. Aaron was a good ole' southern boy from the small town of Greenbrier, Tennessee. Just looking at them, one would probably wonder what the two could possibly have in common. The answer was service to their unit, country, and eventually, supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.
While training to deploy to Afghanistan, the two became close friends and spent much of their time together. While in Afghanistan, the Marine were almost always assigned to different missions, but every time they saw one another it was like a family reunion. At one point they had begun talks of meeting one another's families after the deployment, but unfortunately things did not go as planned.
On March 29, 2012, about two months before the end of the deployment, Corporal Michael J. Palacio was killed in action while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. While leading a convoy providing security for a road construction team, Michael's armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb killing him and wounding two others.
Approximately six months later, Aaron separated from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge. At this time, he was able to travel to California to see Michael's final resting place and spend a short time with Michael's family. Since Michael's passing, Aaron had always dreamed of doing something to honor the life of his friend. In the Spring of 2017, Aaron was able to make his dream a reality, and founded "The Michael J. Palacio Scholarship for Diversity through Service." Recently, Aaron has appointed a board of directors, and is in the process of attaining 501(C)(3) status.
As a person, Michael always tried to make the best of every situation, and was often seen with a huge, cheesy grin on his face. He was also a friend to everyone he met. In the words of his mother, "Mikey was always a very friendly, outgoing, joking, loving, kind person. It didn't matter who it was. Boy, girl, big, small, black, white...he definitely did not discriminate. Looks or beliefs did not bother him. He was very open-minded, and just wanted everyone to be happy." Scholarship applicants should possess the high character and values that Michael demonstrated through life, and service.
Every year, two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded. One scholarship will be awarded to a student of El Modena High School in Orange, CA. The other scholarship will be awarded to a student of Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, TN. Each recipient will be selected and notified no later than his or her respective graduation date.
Organizer
Aaron Slate
Organizer
Greenbrier, TN
