Medal of Honor recipient Captain Florent Groberg (center) captivated a sold-out audience at recent Army Scholarship Foundation luncheon.
By Alicia Thompson| Contributor
Over 250 guests joined Army Scholarship Foundation on October 30 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for a powerful presentation at the annual Help Our Heroes luncheon to benefit the nonprofit’s mission to provide scholarships to the sons and daughters of those who are serving or have served honorably in the US Army and to the spouses of active-duty enlisted soldiers.
The crowd was welcomed by emcee Mark Davis, talk radio host at 660 AM the Answer, and columnist for publications including Newsweek and Dallas Morning News. Reverend Jamie Malakoff, himself a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, gave an opening prayer, and Donald Jones, soloist for the Dallas Opera ensemble, led the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem.
Army Scholarship Foundation CEO Jeff Gault discussed the mission of the organization and shared the story of a recent recipient who had suffered the death of both parents in a murder-suicide and how much her scholarship from the foundation had benefitted her academic pursuits.
General Robert T. Hastings introduced the event’s guest of honor, Captain (US Army, Retired) Florent Groberg. On his second tour in Afghanistan in 2012, Groberg threw himself in front of a suicide bomber to push him away from the other soldiers in the formation before the bomber’s vest detonated. Captain Groberg’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of life are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. For his actions he received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2015, the nation’s highest military honor.
Captain Groberg began by having all family members of military servicemen and women rise to be recognized and pointed out the importance of their “service.” This was followed by a captivating message focused not on the events of that day in 2012 but on the responsibility all citizens have to our country. He paid tribute by name to the four members of his platoon who did not survive that day in Afghanistan, and, holding on to the Medal of Honor around his neck, said the medal represents the soldiers who did not come home that day. Captain Groberg said of all the brave soldiers with whom he served, “We fought for freedom; we fought for each other.”
Groberg discussed the challenges facing the military today. “…you need brave men and women to walk that line, to stand on that line, to commit to doing the impossible at times, to fight for us, to fight for our ability to be here and enjoy a luncheon to talk about an amazing organization that is doing so much good,” he said, Captain Groberg mentioned the divisiveness in our nation today, especially in the midst of the current election but believes, “As long as we stay true to our nation and who we are, we will be unbeatable.” He completed his speech by making a personal donation of $1000 to the Army Scholarship Foundation and encouraged attendees to make contributions as well.
Following his remarks, two-time scholarship recipient Paris Goodman, a journalism student at TCU, spoke about the impact her scholarship has made, saying “This scholarship has helped me to pursue my dreams, and I am so thankful to Army Scholarship Foundation for that.” Her goal is to become a news anchor where she hopes to inspire others.
The event continued with a video presentation about the organization, highlighting multiple scholarship recipients and donors. The day concluded with a call to action from Mark Davis who suggested attendees think of an amount they could donate that would make a difference and then to double that amount. About the funds raised, ASF CEO Jeff Gault said, “We all have a responsibility to support our men and women in uniform, and the funds raised at this luncheon for their family members will go a long way to recognize their service and to say ‘thank you.”
For more information on Army Scholarship Foundation go to www.armyscholarshipfoundation.org
Luncheon attendees included Congressman Keith Self, General Robert Hastings, Honorable Allen Clark (former Assistant Secretary for Veterans Liaison at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), Darcy Anderson (Vice Chairman of Hillwood and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army), Kathy Hildreth, Frisco Councilman John Keating, Plano ISD School Board Trustee Jeri Chambers, General Al Aycock, General Stan Green, General Michael Marchand, and General John Diggs
Corporate sponsors included Corvias Foundation, Association of the US Army, Hillwood, Buford Alexander, Bell, HumCap, Navy Federal Credit Union, PMV, BG Bob Hastings, Glass Doctor, Mrs. Judy Martin, Planet Home Lending, PedFed Credit Union, and John L. Roper, CBRE.
Media Sponsor was 660 AM, the Answer
About Army Scholarship Foundation: The Army Scholarship Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to providing college scholarships for undergraduate study to deserving children of current and former members of the U.S. Army, and to spouses of currently serving soldiers. Founded in 2001 by a group of U.S. Army veterans, the Foundation is dedicated to assisting sons, daughters, and spouses of soldiers in achieving their educational dreams. To date the organization has given over $2.4 million in scholarships.