“I am beyond grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship. My dad spent twenty-four years in the United States Army and served many deployments protecting the freedoms that allow me to pursue my studies freely. I don’t take this sacrifice lightly, and I hope that one day I too can help protect people’s freedoms in my own way. Thank you to all of our veterans for your service.”
-Emma Culler (North Carolina)
“Receiving this scholarship is truly an honor. Seeing what my father has endured through his service reminds me that freedom comes at a cost—not only for him, but for all veterans and their families. I am deeply grateful for their sacrifices, which have made it possible for me to be here today. I will always carry the lessons my father has taught me—hard work, discipline, and honor. This scholarship means more than words can express, and I am incredibly proud to receive it.”
-Abram Barker (Michigan)
“I am truly honored to receive this scholarship in recognition of my dad’s combat service. It means a great deal to me because it reflects the sacrifices he, along with his brothers in arms within the 1-41 Infantry, has made. I am deeply grateful to all members of the military, and I sincerely thank the Straight and Stalwart Inc. Scholarship Foundation for this scholarship and for your service.”
-Robert Rice Jr. (Iowa)
“Stalwart Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me because I am able to honor my dad, my uncle & the entire Straight & Stalwart family through my studies. Seeing the sacrifices my dad has made and how he always supports me and pushes me towards my goals makes me want to work hard to be more like him. He has always taught me to stay focused, work hard, serve others and not take things for granted. This scholarship pushes me to keep going and make the most of the opportunities I have while making them proud. I am thankful and proud to take a piece of the Straight & Stalwart family with me to Auburn University.””
-Grayson Benzaia (Alabama)
It is an honor to be awarded the Straight and Stalwart Scholarship. This scholarship stands as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of the veterans from the 1st Battalion 41st INF Regiment and their families, whose dedication continues to inspire lives like mine. My father has always had the belief that discipline is the cornerstone of freedom, a principle that has shaped my character and ambitions. Receiving this scholarship not only brings me closer to my educational and career goals, but also allows me to carry forward the values, respect, and gratitude that it represents.”
-Hannah McCaslin (Nebraska)
“Commanding HHC, 1-41 Infantry during those years was the greatest honor of my professional life. The Soldiers, NCOs, and officers I served alongside were extraordinary — men and women who carried the strength and soul of our nation through one of the most complex and demanding periods in our history.
Over months of intense training and preparation — from Fort Riley to Kuwait, through the crucible of the National Training Center — we forged something unshakable. We trained for war, went to war, and returned home together. Those shared experiences welded us to one another — tested, tempered, and true.
But the real foundation of our strength was the partnership between our Soldiers and their families. Mindy played a leading role in that shared effort — working alongside other spouses to hold the fabric of our community together. Together they organized video calls between deployed Soldiers and loved ones, built family events at Fort Riley, and worked with leaders and journalists to ensure our Soldiers’ stories were told with dignity and truth.
In the midst of all this, Mindy and I adopted two children — Andrew and Eva — building our own family right alongside all the others. That shared journey of sacrifice, hope, and renewal bound us even more closely to the families we served with and reminded us every day what we were fighting for.
These reunions are more than remembrance; they are renewal. They give us the chance to honor those we lost, to keep their memories alive, and to continue walking forward together — helping one another, lifting each other when life turns difficult, and celebrating when things go right.
What the nonprofit has built over the last decade is simply remarkable — enduring and one of a kind. It reflects what strong families can do when they are forged by fire.
What we built wasn’t just a unit. It was a living family — bound by service, strengthened by love, and carried forward by the Straight & Stalwart spirit that will always define who we are.
And finally, what began years ago as a campfire gathering on Lake Milford — sparked by Michael Norwood’s vision — has grown through the tireless dedication of Shiloh Hawksworth and the heartfelt care of Tabatha into something truly extraordinary. Their energy, love, and commitment have built an enduring home for all of us — a place where the Straight & Stalwart spirit will live on for generations.”
-COL (Ret) George Geczy III (Texas)
“For the last 4 years, our family has made it a priority to attend the 1-41 reunion at Acorns Resort, Milford Lake. Now every year, we look forward to this weekend getaway and the opportunity for our children to get a taste of who their father was before they came into our family.
We enjoy seeing old friends and recounting old stories but also meeting new friends and making new memories. Though, it doesn’t stop with the fun and camaraderie. It’s important to realize that the things you’ve done with your life truly had–and still do have–an impact on others. It’s also important and therapeutic for the veterans to be around the camaraderie of their brotherhood. The legacy of 1-41 and what the unit accomplished will live on through these men and their families. we are thankful to the organizers for their efforts and putting it all together you after year. We always have a blast!”
-Dana Ward (Missouri)
“I served with HHC, 1-41 Infantry from July 2001 through December 2003, and during that time, I had the privilege of serving alongside some of the finest men in the Army. The life experiences we went through together will never be forgotten. Even though our time in uniform together was over 20 years ago, many of the bonds we built remain strong to this day. A large part of that is thanks to the Straight and Stalwart Organization and the tremendous support they continue to provide us.
The time and effort that goes into organizing reunions is truly remarkable. In my opinion, this organization has set the standard for how to care for veterans of 1-41 Infantry. Attending these reunions is not only an opportunity to reconnect with old military brothers, but also a chance to witness the same joy and love reflected in everyone’s eyes. Over the years, the reunions have grown and will continue to grow.
My children have also had the opportunity to attend these reunions, and they have been moved by the personal connections and inspired by the bonds we share. On a personal note, my daughter was fortunate to receive one of the $10,000 Straight and Stalwart Scholarship Awards. This blessing brought significant financial relief to my family and allowed her to focus fully on her education. Today, she is a Sophomore at Wayne State and is on track to graduate with an Elementary Teaching Degree in May 2027.
I am proud and grateful to be part of such an incredible unit and organization. The humility, generosity, and commitment of the Straight and Stalwart Organization to helping veterans and their families grow is truly inspiring.”
“Who You With!”
-Robert Rice (CW2 Retired) (Iowa)
“I am so grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship, because of my amazing stepdad. He inspires me to be the best I can be and pushes me to always strive for more. I am beyond proud of him for providing this opportunity to students like myself, to help take away some of the financial burden as we continue our education and grow into being adults. I’ve been able to see behind closed doors the hard work and dedication he has put toward the veteran community and helping others.“
-Keely Hoback (Kansas)
“Receiving this scholarship from my dad’s old unit, Infantry 1-41 at Ft. Riley, means more to me than just financial support—it feels like a personal connection to his service and the sacrifices made by those who served alongside him. I was also born on Ft Riley, so this is amazing. It reminds me of the values of dedication, perseverance, and honor that I strive to carry forward in my own journey. I’m truly grateful for this support and proud to have a tie to such a meaningful part of my family’s and our country’s history.”
-Brookelyn Henning (Kansas)
“Receiving this scholarship means so much to me. I am extremely grateful to be able to honor the sacrifices my dad made during his time in the Army through my studies. Without his hard work, dedication, and continued support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I’m proud to carry these qualities with me as I move forward on my journey in psychology. I hope to make just as big of an impact in the lives of others as he has made in mine.”
-Madison Russ (Texas)
“Receiving this scholarship is a blessing I will never take for granted. It lifts a financial weight off my shoulders and gives me the encouragement to keep striving toward my goals. Studying kinesiology and working toward a career in the healthcare field is something I truly care about, and this support helps me move forward with motivation and focus. I’m proud of my dad’s military service, and receiving this scholarship inspires me even more to make a difference in my own way.”
-Emily Pyles (West Virginia)
“I reached out to Shiloh Hawkesworth a year ago about having a memorial made for my son. We lost him in Iraq. Shiloh made the whole process very personal and easy. My son now has a memorial up at his high school. After the memorial was put up, I had people approach me and share memories about my son that I never knew. Nobody had mentioned his name in my presence for 15 years. It’s very emotional when it happens. I wish a memorial was put up sooner”
-Anonymous Mom (Ohio)
“I want to thank Straight & Stalwart for the incredible work they do honoring veterans and fallen soldiers.
Last year they created a memorial for my cousin, Adam Hughes, who gave his life in Iraq in 2005. It meant so much to our family to see his sacrifice remembered with such care. A special thank you to Shiloh as well; you gave us comfort and pride, and we’re forever grateful. Wonderful organization to support!!”
-Ronnie Richerson (Kentucky)
“I’ve been with Shiloh and his Veteran’s non-profit organization pretty much from Day 1. We served together. We also deployed to the Middle East together. I’m also one of the combat Veterans directly affected by the generosity of this organization. I deployed three separate times with this group. Some of the finest band of brothers. Like Shiloh always says, the annual reunions serve as therapy. It’s not necessarily an opportunity talk about war stories of years gone by. Rather, it’s more about meeting our brothers’ families, spouses/significant others or simply getting a few hours or days to catch up. In the grand scheme of things, this is my family. No, they don’t have the same last name, but we are family through shared blood, sweat, tears and sometimes tragedy. Truly grateful for Shiloh and this organization and all they do. Straight & Stalwart!”
-Andrew Fry (Kansas)
“Knowing that my dad’s service for our country has kept my family and many others safe, makes me so proud to call him my dad. His dedication to serving in the military and receiving a college education after leaving the service, has inspired me to work hard and serve others. While joining the military is not the right course for my future, once l have my college education, l intend to apply to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Academy. Receiving this scholarship is a reminder of all the hard work that my dad and many others in the military have displayed, and I hope to make them all proud by putting this scholarship toward my degree and one day serving my community.”
-Lillian Tallant (Kansas)
Automotive and High-Performance Power Trains
“Getting this scholarship means a lot to me, because I know what my dad has gone through to serve this country and offer me a better chance at life. I feel that it will in some way honor him. I am extremely grateful for receiving this scholarship. Not only will it help me get off to a great start at WyoTech in the Automotive and High-Performance Power Trains program, but also a running start to life without the high debt.”
-Shawn Lancaster (Texas)
“I am blessed to receive this amazing scholarship on behalf of my Dad’s combat service. I also want to thank all members of the military, especially combat veterans. Thank you again for this scholarship and the sacrifices you all made.”
-Mia Rice (Iowa)
“It means a lot to me to know that I was able to receive this scholarship due to my dad’s service in the Army. He has dedicated his life and career to the military, not only though his service, but through his current position working for the Marine Corps. His service has demonstrated to me how far hard work can get you in life and he has always been someone I aspire to be like. My dad worked very hard to be able to give my siblings and I the best education possible, and I know that with this scholarship I will continue to make him proud and pursue the career that he has helped me work toward.”
-Evelyn Wagner (Indiana)