Memorial Day

The brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military are heroes of our country. They put their lives in harm’s way and make great sacrifices in service of our nation.  On Monday, May 31, Memorial Day, we commemorate the fallen soldiers and we also thank the veterans who served alongside them.   

In 1998, I ran for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, and I made many friends in the military. During my campaign, I visited with a U.S. Army general. He handed me a pamphlet which read, “Promises Made, Promises Not Kept.” The document was about how veterans had been let down by the government, in education, health care and housing. I will never forget it.  

The Michael J. and Donna N. Coles Veterans Scholarship Endowment Fund

My interaction with the Army general made an impact on my life, and I am committed to supporting veterans where I can. So, in March of this year, my wife Donna and I established The Michael J. and Donna N. Coles Veterans Scholarship Endowment Fund at Kennesaw State University to help lessen the financial burden for veterans who have exhausted their GI Bill benefits before completing their degrees.  

I believe that getting an education is of paramount importance. My hope is to expand our $1 million scholarship fund to $3 to $5 million over the next decade by encouraging other families or organizations to contribute. Kennesaw State has been a longtime supporter of veterans. The school currently has more than 1,400 students who are veterans, service members, or their dependents.  

This Fund is our way of honoring the sacrifice of military veterans and providing some support as they pursue their educational dreams at KSU. My hope is that this will offer some help for a better life.  

To all those serving or who have served in the U.S. Military – thank you.  

https://mvs.kennesaw.edu/give.php.