JOHN RANDALL MEMORIAL TRUST FUND
Emory Russell, Chairman

      Since 1988 the John Randall Memorial Scholarship Fund was sponsored under the joint auspices or the Grand of Pacific and the VFW Department of Pacific. Donations from all sources and fund raisers conducted jointly by Grand and Department raised funds for this program. The only objective of the program was and is to give Educational Grants to qualified dependents of members in good standing of a VFW Post, Auxiliary or Pup Tent within the Department of Pacific Areas.

      Since inception the fund has awarded a total of $97,000.00 to 210 dependents of Pacific VFW members in all seven Districts.

     By unanimous agreement of the delegates to the Department Convention and the Grand Scratch in June 2001 the sponsorship of this program reverted back solely to the Grand of the Pacific Areas, Military Order of the Cootie.  It was further agreed that the basic rules for expenditures from the fund and for raising money for the fund would remain the same. Both Department and Grand agreed that the donation of funds or participation in fund raising by Pup Tents and Posts would be entirely voluntary and would, under no circumstances, be considered as criteria for any of the standard VFW or MOC awards. From June 2001 until June 2003 the Fund was administered by Trustees appointed by the Grand Commander and those Trustees continued to meet annually to review applications and award Educational Grants to VFW Dependents.

     In June 2003 the Grand Scratch unanimously adopted a policy whereby Cootie Trustees are elected from each District to manage and maintain the Fund. The official name of the Fund was changed to John Randall Memorial Trust Fund. This fund remains a separate entity but is held in Trust by the Grand of Pacific Areas and the fund records are audited at least annually by the Grand Auditors.

First Meeting of Trustees

      During the week of the Department Convention and Grand Scratch in June 2003 the newly elected Trustees met. Emory Russell was elected as Chairman and Dick Vileo as Vice Chairman. Jerry Kraus was appointed as Secretary. Don Webster is the Treasurer by virtue of his elected position as Grand Quartermaster.  Trustees include:

District I – Vacant
District II – John Johnson
District III – Bob Henault
District IV – Don Webster
District V – Dick Vileo
District VI – Jerry Kraus
District VII – Emory Russell

      The Trustees reviewed and approved five applications from District III and four from District VII in the total amount of $2,100.00.

      In the future, applications for Grants will be submitted to the Trustee from the same District as the applicant and the applications will all be brought to each June Convention where the Trustees will meet and review and act upon the applications.

      This program has not conducted any fund raiser of any type since the 1999-2000 term. Since that time the donations from both Pup Tents and Posts have diminished. As a result, the amount of the individual grants has had to be reduced to an all time low. The Trustees decided not to consider any fund raiser as such for this term but rather to solicit donations from Pup Tents, Posts and individuals to keep the program alive and hopefully enable the Trustees to increase the Grant amounts in the future.

      During the 2002-03 term donations were received from Post 8180, 10216, 9957 and a Past Department Commander in the amount of $932.00. At the June Convention the following additional donations were received:

Post 10216 Pup tent #6 Pup Tent #10 Post 8180 Individual	$100.00 50.00 250.00 1,000.00 100.00
Total:	$1,500.00

      This is an excellent start. The Fund Trustees from your Districts will be contacting the Pup Tents and Posts in your District asking for your support. Remember, there are no quotas or goals established. All we’re asking for is whatever financial help you may give to help the Fund Trustees continue this program successfully and add to the 210 dependents who have already benefited from the program.

      Monies from the Trust fund are used solely for awarding Grants and for the nominal administrative expenses incurred.

    The Trustee from your District will have a supply of Application Forms. Applicants should submit the completed form and other required documents to the District Trustee and he will be prepared to answer most of your questions regarding the application and this program.

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This is a program that was established and operates to help our own Comrades and their dependents so please be generous when you consider a donation to the Fund.

As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, it is my sincere hope that each of you read this with but one thought in mind, this program is to assist eligible and deserving students fulfill their dream of completing their education. We must not live in the past but look forward to the future. Therefore, I ask your support and give this Board of Trustees a chance to make this program work for the benefit of our children and their dreams of the future.   

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