Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Courtney Glen White | Participants in the Joe Foss Squadron Shootout receive tennis rackets for coming in...... read more read more
Subscribe
TAIYO GOLF COURSE, Okinawa, Japan – The Marine Corps Aviation Association Joe Foss Squadron hosted the Joe Foss Squadron Fall Shoot Out Dec. 12 at Taiyo Golf Course.
The Joe Foss Squadron, named after Joe Foss, represents the MCAA on Okinawa. Foss earned the rank of major and was the leading fighter ace of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, as well as a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor, a brigadier general in the Air National Guard, the 20th governor of South Dakota and the first commissioner of the American Football League.
The MCAA hosts events to foster camaraderie among like-minded Marine Corps aviation enthusiasts and raise funds.
All funds raised are used for scholarships for graduating seniors at Kubasaki High School in Okinawa and M.C. Perry in Iwakuni, as well as events like the annual Joe Foss Squadron Awards banquet and to support operating costs to maintain the organization.
“The tournament was a fun way to relax after the completion of the Ryukyu Warrior exercise and raise money for high school scholarships,” said J. Phil VanEtten, an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton in support of 1st MAW. “The association is really interested in supporting the military service members and their families.”
The association awards two scholarships every year to graduating high school seniors from one of the two high schools based on merit and an essay application.
“The students are asked to write an essay on Joe Foss and what they can do to be more like him,” said VanEtten. “The Medal of Honor recipient did a lot in his military career and for his community, and we hope to inspire students to follow in his path.”
"Traditionally, the scholarships are for $1500, but if we can fundraise and offer more, that’s even better," said Col. Douglas J. Wadsworth, commanding officer of Joe Foss Squadron and assistant wing commander for 1st MAW.
According to Wadsworth, the tournament was played in a scramble format. Scramble format is when all players on the team hit the ball and the best stroke is what everyone on the team would then play from.
“Scramble format is always fun for those who are not as good at golf,” said Wadsworth. “By pure chance, one of your shots will be counted in the game.”
The golf tournament offered prizes for first and second place overall, the longest drive and the closest to the pin, said Wadsworth.
“In addition to raising funds and playing golf at the tournament, we also hoped to promote additional interest in the MCAA,” said VanEtten.
“The MCAA is open to anyone who ever served with an aviation unit or is serving with an aviation unit,” said VanEtten. “It is also open to anyone who is interested in aviation, Marine Corps aviation in particular, and wants to help promote that.”
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2012 02:10 |
| Story ID: | 82090 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 251 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Marine Corps Aviation Association hosts scholarship golf tournament, by GySgt Courtney Glen White, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
