BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— AMVETS Post 86 and its affiliated organizations awarded 12 graduating Keystone Heights High School Students $500 scholarships during an awards ceremony on Saturday, May 14.
Emcee Charlie Woinski said this was the third year the veterans’ group held its own ceremony to present its scholarships and 2022 marked the largest numbers of academic awards given away.
He explained to the visitors in the crowd that AMVETS stands for and represents American veterans.
“The veterans who fought for our liberties,” he said, “support and preserve our constitutional values and to help keep this country the best and safest place in the world.”
Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake told the group she appreciated their contribution to the Lake Region.
“We’re very fortunate in Keystone Heights to have so many community groups who contribute to our community,” she said.
Past AMVETS scholarship winner Brandon Ludwig told the students that they should view the awards as an endorsement from AMVETS in the same way political candidates seek endorsements from influencers.
“When each business or organization, whether it’s AMVETS, whether it’s Daughters of the American Revolution, trusts you with a scholarship,” he told the students, “it’s because they looked at you. They evaluated your application, and they said this person is going to be the best person to spend this money and do it the right way.”
“To receive this scholarship from them is an incredible honor because it means that those who served our country placed their faith in you,” he added.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Mark Alexander urged the scholarship recipients to consider a career in the military, emphasizing the education and retirement benefits.
“I would highly recommend to you to look into getting into ROTC,” he told the graduating seniors. “They’re going to give you a stipend every month and if you continue with it, the next thing you know you’re getting to retirement at the ripe old age of 40 or 42.”
Alexander added that he chose the career path that he was recommending to the students.
“I’m not trying to sell it,” he said. “I’m just trying to tell you that there are opportunities out there that you might want to pursue.”
Awards winners
Salli and Jim Reinhart presented the AMVETS Riders’ scholarship to Bryce Couey.
Woinski and Billy Hall gave Dylan Gaffney and Clayton Kicklighter the Sons of AMVETS scholarship.
Dalean Hall and Gail Wooten presented Ladies Auxiliary scholarships to Morgan Perkins, Jacob Lepanto, Cody Saley and Ashton Librojo.
Tanya Marheine and Beinlich presented the AMVETS Veterans awards to Della Boyette, Eden Jackson, Emma Rogel, Christopher Anderson and Mason Dicks.
Remember the heroes
In his closing remarks, Woinski asked the audience to remember the true meaning of the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.
“When gathering with family or close friends on Memorial Day,” he said, “having an adult beverage or two, enjoying your company, eating a great barbecue, please remember those heroes of our nation: the men and women who are no longer with us, so we all can live in freedom.”
Post 86 Commander Bob Beinlich told the students about his Navy and civilian career, which included duties on surface ships, submarines, recruiting and administration, as well as 26 years as an administrator at the Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville.
Beinlich told the graduates to be thankful for the opportunity to attend college. He also urged them to develop their leadership skills.
“You don’t have to be the biggest, baddest, son of a gun in the room,” he said of leading people. “You have to learn how to get along with the people that you work with. Approach them lightly. Don’t yell and scream at them because they’re real quick to yell and scream back. Today, that’s how it is.
Beinlich also advised the students to keep in touch with their high school friends.
“I hope you stay close because 20 years from now you might not even know where those people are,” he said. “Today you’ve made some real good friends. Try to stay in touch and be kind to one another.”
