Memorial Day means more than cookouts marking the start of summer to my neighbor Wilfredo Perez Sr. For Will, the holiday includes a visit to his son's grave in New York City. U.S. Army Spc. Wilfredo Perez Jr. was killed in Iraq in a grenade attack on July 26, 2003, while guarding a children's hospital in Baquouba, Iraq.
Perez has established a scholarship in his son's name for students at Norwalk High School, the fallen soldier's alma mater.
According to the Norwalk Advocate, last week a Norwalk High student was scheduled to receive the first $5,000 gift awarded by the Spc. Wilfredo Perez Jr. Scholarship Fund:
After last year's golf tournament, the fund contains enough money to award a $5,000 scholarship annually for the next 10 to 15 years ". . . so at least he'll be remembered at Norwalk High for that long," his father said.
The Perez family is learning about fund raising works and looking to establish a nonprofit organization that would help them seek money from corporations for the scholarship fund:
"It's a lot of work, but it's worth it, and I think there are so many kids in Norwalk that need these scholarships," Vicki Perez said.
The second annual Spc. Wilfredo Perez Jr. Golf Classic, is scheduled for June 6 at Oak Hills Golf Course. The tournament, which raises money for the scholarship fund, had 80 committed players last week but needs at least 20 more. For more information about the second annual Spc. Wilfredo Perez Jr. Golf Classic, call Wilfredo Perez Sr. at 515-0666.
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