September 11, 2001. 

Twenty-five years later, the events of that day remain etched in our Nation’s memory. We remember the innocent lives lost, the families forever changed, and the extraordinary courage that emerged in the face of such unimaginable tragedy.

For America, September 11 became another defining moment. It reminded us of the fragility of life, and also revealed the strength, compassion, and resilience of the human spirit. In the midst of heartbreak, we witnessed extraordinary acts of service, compassion, and unity of purpose that continue to inspire us today.

In the years that followed, a generation of Americans answered our Nation’s call. Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen served across the globe. Their families carried the weight of deployment, uncertainty, loss, and sacrifice with quiet strength. The legacy of September 11 lives both in remembrance, and in the men and women who chose to serve a cause greater than themselves.

At the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, we strive to honor all those affected by September 11, and to recognize the generations of servicemembers and military families whose lives were shaped by this tragedy. We remain deeply grateful for their commitment to our country and mindful of the sacrifices made over the last twenty-five years.

Now, I reflect on how the values of honor, courage, commitment, service, and compassion for others remain as important today as ever before. These are the values lived every day by servicemembers and their families—and instilled in their children.

A quarter-century later, the memory of those we lost remains with us, as does our responsibility to honor their legacy through gratitude, service, and continued support for the military families who shoulder the yoke of defending our freedom.

At MCSF, we are privileged to exercise that responsibility by investing in the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen and ensuring their opportunities are worthy of the sacrifices made by their families.

Today, we remember. We honor. And we remain forever grateful.

Sincerely and Semper Fidelis, 

LtCol Ted Probert USMC (Ret.) 
President and CEO 
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation