ASSOCIATION OF AVIATION ORDNANCEMEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
The origin of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Educational Foundation can be traced back to one of the original objectives contained in the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Charter which is to “Provide and promote recognition and remembrance of those Aviation Ordnancemen who have sacrificed their lives for their country, by supporting the memorial scholarship fund established by the National Association.”
Recognizing the cost of higher education prevented many highly deserving, motivated and qualified individuals from seeking academic growth beyond the high school level; it was decided to establish the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Memorial Scholarship Fund. The first scholarship was awarded to a single individual in 1979. A simple “passing of the hat” among the members present raised the funds for the award collecting a total of $250.00.
With strong and generous support of the general membership and local Chapters, the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen was able to continue the tradition of awarding scholarships to qualified and deserving individuals. In subsequent years, a standing Scholarship Committee was established to formalize the awards process and selection criteria. During the National convention in 1985 a motion was made from the floor to “so name the scholarship after and in memory of Robert L. Crow, CDR, USN (Retired)”. This motion was so carried and the scholarship was dedicated to the memory of and still bears his name.
From these meager beginnings, the scholarship has continued to grow both in value and number or recipients each year. During the Association’s National convention in 2005, the general membership voted to establish the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Educational Foundation. The Foundation is a separate entity from the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen and is charged with the administration of the CDR Robert L. Crow Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The Foundation is a separate group of elected officials charged with ensuring the continued growth, security, and integrity of the Robert L. Crow Scholarship Fund. Throughout each year, the Officers and members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation conduct business as required to improve the scholarship program and the benefits provided to the Association’s membership. They monitor various scholarship and financial aid programs offered to military personnel and their dependents and provide information to the membership through Red Shirt articles and the local Chapters of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen. The Officers and members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation also meet once each year during the annual convention of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen.

CDR Robert L. Crow, USN
(Ret)
BIOGRAPHY
Robert L. Crow was born February 18, 1932 to Gooley and Pearl Crow. Died April 13, 1985.
Robert Crow enlisted in the U.S. Navy May 1949 in St. Joseph Mo. Was Commissioned Ensign June 1960 through the LDO program. In August 1977 achieved the rank of Commander, and retired from the Naval service after 30 years of successful and challenging assignments throughout his career on 1 March 1979 at North Island, San Diego, California.
Robert Crow married the former Betty Johns on March 28, 1951, they had 2 daughters; Deborah Crow/Quinn and Rhonda Crow/Jones and 1 grandson, Robert M. Tupper.
Association of Aviation
Ordnancemen
Educational Foundation
Officers
Association of Aviation
Ordnancemen
Educational Foundation
ByLAWS
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SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY
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1979 First award $250.00 Ms. Lorraine Owen |
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1980 $250.00 Ms. Lorraine Owen |
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1981 $250.00 ea. Ms. Lorraine Owen & Ms. Lisa Bohnstengel |
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1982 $250.00 ea. Ms. Lorraine Owen & Mr. Andrew Ferrell |
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1983 $300.00 ea. Mr. David Vasques & Mr. Edmond Farrell |
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1984 $300.00 ea. Ms. Lisa Bohnstengel & Ms. Teresa Michel |
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1985 $300.00 ea. Mrs. Deborah L. Schner-Rape & Mr. Peter L. Michel |
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1986 $300.00 ea. Ms. Christina F. Nykes & Ms. Alice M. Lemley |
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1987 $300.00 ea. Mrs. Katie Sawyer & Ms. Shannon N. Scott |
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1988 $500.00 ea. Mr. Brian G. Witte, Ms. Barbara J. Williamson & Mrs. Blanca S. Sullivan |
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1989 $500.00 ea. Mr. Brian G. Witte, Ms. Michael R. Edmondson & Ms. Judy A. Jenson |
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1990 $500.00 ea. Mr. Shane D. Birch, Mr. Mark A. Lemieux & Ms. Barbara J. Williams |
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1991 $750.00 ea. Ms. Barbara J. Williamson, Mr. Brent Healy & Mr. Brian G. Witte |
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1992 $750.00 ea. Ms. Renée D. Richards, Mr. James C. Edge, & Ms. Kelly E. Porter |
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1993 $850.00 ea. Mr. Jeffery R. Mills, Ms. Renée D. Richards & Mr. Lance D. Smith |
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1994 $1000.00 ea. Ms. Cherry E. Thomas, Ms. Renée D. Richards & Mr. Lance D. Smith |
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1995 $1200.00 ea. Ms. Laura M. Boyle, Ms. Kelly M. Hetherington & Ms. Veronica L. Rankin |
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1996 $1500.00 ea. Ms. Michael S. Connelley, Ms. Michelle A. Neville & Ms. Kelly M. Hetherington |
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1997 $2,000.00 ea. Ms. Vicky L. Oates, Mrs. Robin M. Smithberger & Mr. Jason 0. Walters |
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1998 $2,250.00 ea. Ms. Vicky L. Oates, Mrs. Robin M. Smithberger & Ms. Mary A. Thomas |
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1999 $2,500.00 ea. Ms. Brandy L. Fargon, Mr. Lance S. Garver & Mrs. Dawn M. Sawyer |
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2000 $2,750.00 ea. Ms. Amanda J. McDonald, Ms. Tiffanie R. Myhand & Ms. Emily M. Robins |
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2001 $2,750.00 ea. Ms. Emily J. Crosby, Mr. Kirk R. Hetherington & Mr. Jasson R. Warren |
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2002 $2,900.00 ea Mr. Kirk R. Hetherington, Ms. Sabrina L. Moore & Ms Aubrey Q. Palumbo |
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2003 $3,100.00 ea. Ms. Emily J. Crosby, Ms. Sabrina L. Moore & Ms. Katherine Francour |
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2004 $3,500.00 ea. Robert
L. Crow Award; Mr Andrew Costa, Ms Danielle Costa & Ms Emily J. Crosby |
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2005 $3,500.00 ea. Robert
L. Crow Award; Mr Anthony E. Gurrola, Mr David J. Gurrola, Ms Tiffanie
R. Myhand |
| 2006
$3,500.00 ea. Robert L. Crow Award; Mr. Andrew D. Costa, Ms.
Katherine E. Francoeur, Ms. Katrina E. Nelson $3,500.00 ea. Northrop/Grumman Ship Building (Newport News) Award; Ms Marcelle N. Ortiz $1,000.00 ea. Raytheon Missile Systems Award; Brandon Jones, Jennifer L. Parmley, Kelli Rutledge, Andrew M Saunders |
| 2007
$3,500.00 ea. Robert L. Crow Award;
Ms. Sydney V. Crosby, Mr. Anthony E.
Gurrola, Ms. Hilary A. Robins $3,500.00 ea. Northrop/Grumman Ship Building (Newport News) Award; Mr.Brandon T. Jones $1,000.00 ea. Raytheon Missile Systems Award; Ms. Justine B. Crutchfield, Ms. Leeza M. DosSantos, Ms. Terri Lindsey, Mr. Karl Swygert |
| 2008
$3,500.00 R. L. Crow; Justine B. Crutchfield, Terri R.
Lindsey, Mertika T. Morgan $1,500.00 R. L. Crow; Megan G. Robins $3,500.00 Northrop/Grumman Shipbuilding Division, Newport News Award; Lindsey N. Loomis $1,000.00 Raytheon Missile Systems Award; Hillary A. Robins, Jennifer L. Parmley, Karl W. Swygert, Megan T. Harman |
| 2009 ? WHO WILL BE NEXT? |
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Letters of Gratitude Just a few of the many received.
June 2002
To The Association of Aviation Ordnanceman,
The scholarship money I have received has given me so much this year. Not only has it paid for my room and boars; it has given me peace of mind by letting me concentrate more on adapting to a new life and of course my studies, instead of worrying about a paycheck to pay for these.
Your Scholarships are providing an incredible opportunity for those of us who received them and I don’t believe I could ever thank you enough. Marian Wright Edelman once said “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” Your organization has given me that opportunity, and because of that I will succeed in accomplishing my goals, thus making the world a better place. Thank you again for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Emily Crosby
7/18/2006
Andrew Saunders
105 Vineyard Dr.
Athens, GA. 30607
To the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for receiving a scholarship from your organization. The Association of Aviation Ordnancemen and its affiliates provide a great opportunity for many students, and I am happy to add my name to the list of scholarship recipients. The Raytheon Missile Systems Award will help to alleviate the financial obstacles associated with graduate school. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and I know that your hard work and dedication is instrumental to helping me on my career path.
I would like to thank all of AAO members and the industry sponsors that are able to donate to your scholarship fund. I have heard so many great things about your association; and I am thoroughly impressed that you place such a high value on education, and that you strive to help families of those who have worked so hard, and given so much, to our country. After hearing all about your convention from my mother-in-law, I am disappointed that I could not be in attendance this year, but I look forward to changing that in the future.
Thank you for your consideration! And of course—Go Dawgs!
Sincerely,
Andrew Saunders
July 2006
To The Association of Aviation Ordnancemen,
It is with great pleasure that I receive this award. I would like to take this time to thank the Robert L. Crow scholarship committee for selecting me. I am currently enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR). I will begin classes in August 2006. I plan on studying business and interior design. The scholarship you have awarded me will help me pay tuition my first semester at UNR. Once again I am grateful for this award; it will help me to become better educated and achieve my goals. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Katrina Nelson
July 19, 2006
To the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Education Foundation, AAO Scholarship Committee, and Raytheon:
I would like to thank you for selecting my application to receive the $1000 AAO Education Foundation/Raytheon scholarship. It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to receive this award. I appreciate all the hard work, time, and patience the scholarship committee put into the selection process. I would also like to thank my husband AO1(AW) Scott Rutledge and my family for supporting my educational goals throughout my pursuit for a higher education, without them this would not have been possible. The scholarship will be used to help pay for books and tuition coming due for this fall semester. I’m very grateful and will continue to strive for excellence throughout my educational pursuits. I want to thank you again for selecting me for this years’ recipient for the AAO Education Foundation/ Raytheon scholarship.
Sincerely,
Kelli J. Rutledge
Dear Association of Aviation Ordnancemen members,
scholarship contributors and scholarship committee members,
It is such an incredible honor to receive the Robert L.
Crow scholarship. I am very grateful to receive such an honorable award from the
association. It is an amazing feeling to be selected, and I want to thank the
association for helping myself, as well as others, through the educational
foundation scholarships. Gaining an education can be quite a financial
challenge, especially with the economy today. I have attended the convention
several times, and I have seen the numerous members of the association
purchasing items at the auction or making selfless donations. Thank you to all
who have contributed over the years. Without your donation, these scholarships
would not be possible. The camaraderie between AO's is amazing. I am truly
blessed to be an AO's wife, and part of the entire AO family.
I am happy to announce that I have applied to graduate at
the end of this semester. As of December 19, 2008, I will have my Bachelor of
Science degree in Nursing from California State University, Fresno. I will
receive this diploma with Summa Cum Laude (highest honors) recognition.
Currently, my leadership hours are being spent in an underserved hospital in the
emergency department. Upon completion of school, my intentions are to work full
time and continue with my education. I will apply for the Master's program,
which is scheduled to begin next Fall.
Thank you again for your generous scholarship. The funds
will greatly decrease the financial stress placed on my family, and will allow
me to continue on with my education.
Sincerely,
Terri Lindsey
Wife of AOC David Lindsey
2008
Dear AO Association Scholarship Committee:
I am honored to be a recipient of the 2008 Robert L. Crow
Scholarship Award given by The Association of Aviation Ordnancemen specifically,
because he served admirably in the United States Navy for thirty years. I would
like to thank the members of the association for their kindness and for making
this scholarship possible. I have just begun my freshman year at Liberty
University, where I plan on pursuing a degree in Biology. I one day hope to be a
dentist, sharing my love of helping others feel good about themselves. I also
plan on volunteering at a dental office during my studies. My parents have
always stressed the importance of education and the value of a college degree. I
hope to one day share my experiences with other students and to help prepare
them for success in college.
Once again, I want to thank you for making this scholarship
possible and for all the generous donations. I plan on representing God, my
family and the military community in a positive manner and to give to other
people as you have given to me.
Sincerely,
Martika T. Morgan
To the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen,
I would like to sincerely thank all of the members of the
Association for sponsoring such a worthy cause. With this prestigious
scholarship, I will be continuing my second year at Old Dominion University
where I am enrolled full-time in the pursuit of a Criminal Justice degree.
Thanks to the generosity of all of the members and to Raytheon Corporation, I am
able to stay committed to completing my education without having to worry about
working when I could be studying. Again, I really appreciate your continued
faith in education and I look forward to college resuming soon.
Sincerely,
Karl Swygert
Scholarship for WORD
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