New FLCC Scholarship Honors POW/MIAs

A community organization has created a new Finger Lakes Community College Foundation scholarship in memory of prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.The Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Marathon Team Inc., from Hamlin, Monroe County, spent 10 years raising money through donations, fundraisers and private funds to create the POW/MIA Scholarship for FLCC students. On Oct. 21, Don and Bonnie Amerose and Mike Skowronski, members of the POW/MIA Marathon Team, presented a $10,000 check to establish the scholarship to Amy Pauley, executive director of the Finger Lakes Community College Foundation and Corinne Canough, director of the Center for Advisement and Student Development.“They are fading away in people’s memories,” said Don Amerose of those who were prisoners of war and the 88,000 MIA soldiers who did not come home from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the present day conflicts. “One of the reasons we are starting this scholarship is because we want their children and grandchildren to realize this is a part of their history.”“The families of the POWs and MIAs are our brothers and sisters,” said Mike Skowronski. “Nobody’s ever lost if they are remembered.”The American Legion Lee Harrison Post 283 in Livonia, Livingston County, has also been a big supporter of the scholarship fund by donating a portion of the proceeds from its annual motorcycle Poker Run to the POW/MIA Marathon Team.Starting in fall 2010, the scholarship will be given to a student who is a former POW or MIA, a disabled veteran or a veteran or a family member of someone who fits one of those categories. Candidates must be in good academic standing and have financial need. The recipient will be chosen by the FLCC Financial Aid Office.The first scholarship will be $400; the group plans to continue to raise money to add to the scholarship fund.