Hilo native and U.S. Air Force veteran Mark Sakai was among 60 U.S. service members, veterans and military spouses chosen as 2015 Pat Tillman Foundation scholars. ADVERTISING Hilo native and U.S. Air Force veteran Mark Sakai was among 60 U.S.
Hilo native and U.S. Air Force veteran Mark Sakai was among 60 U.S. service members, veterans and military spouses chosen as 2015 Pat Tillman Foundation scholars.
In honor of their military service, leadership and academic excellence, the newly selected class will receive more than $1.7 million in scholarships to pursue their higher education and continue their service in the fields of medicine, law, business, government, education, science and the arts.
In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly delayed his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.
Sakai is the first Hilo native selected as a Tillman scholar. Sakai is pursuing his medical degree at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School to continue his service to others — hoping to practice medicine in a small community hospital.
“Pat made his mark as a husband, teammate, soldier and brother. He believed we should always strive to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” said Marie Tillman, Pat Tillman’s widow and foundation co-founder. “In their own unique ways, the 2015 Tillman scholars stand apart for their humility and selfless service in and out of uniform.”
To date, the foundation has invested nearly $12 million in academic support since 2004, and named more than 400 Tillman scholars at 108 academic institutions nationwide.
For more information, visit www.Pat
TillmanFoundation.org.
