Lt. Gen. John. M. Paxton Jr., director for operation, J-3, the joint staff, Washington D.C., was the military guest of honor at the event. Retired Marine Colonel and Medal of Honor recipient Robert J. Modrzejewski, also attended the ball.

The evening honorees were Michael K. Hayde, chief executive officer, Western National Group and Herbert W. Kalmbach, esteemed business owner. Hayde received the Semper Fidelis Award and Kalmbach received the Globe and Anchor Award at the ball. The awards are presented each year to outstanding Americans for their patriotic service and contributions to the MCSF.

“We all know that life is about fulfilling expectations, fulfilling dreams; some of it is about experience, some of it is about skill, some of it is about context, some of it is about contact,” said Paxton. “But you don’t get the experience, the skill, the context and the contact unless some of those doors can be opened, and the most critical door is the door for education.”

Paxton also mentioned how children that seize the life altering gift of a scholarship ultimately feel a sense of purpose and obligation to succeed.

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation was founded in 1962 by Brig. Gen. Martin F. Rockmore, providing assistance to military children with money for advanced education. Since then, MCSF has committed $50 million and 25,000 awards to educate children.

This academic year, more than 1,400 children received $3.5 million in scholarships.

The foundation also places a special emphasis on helping children whose parents are wounded or killed in action.

“It’s inspiring to invest in such deserving and incredible young people who will strengthen the future of our country,” said Margaret B. Davis, president of MCSF. “We are carrying forward the scholarship foundation that has supported Marine families who served in five major wars and countless conflicts around the globe.”