Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarships

03/03/2026

To the Ithaca Community,

I hope possibly the IPS Administration or some original flag donors would think about purchasing a new 80 or 90' flagpole in order to fly the original 20x30ft flag properly and have the ability to fly our Nation's flag at half-staff at all appropriate times. If that cannot happen, my family will gladly assume the expense to make it happen. As a Veteran, I would appreciate that, and I know I can say other local Veterans and many other community members would also appreciate flying our Nation's flag with the respect it deserves. I believe either would be appreciated very much by all.

Much Appreciation,

Steve Smith

01/28/2026

News release from Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship Program

RE: $30,000 available in scholarships—must apply by February 15

There is $30,000 waiting for Gratiot County students who apply for a scholarship by February 15.

The Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship program is offering scholarships to support further education for Gratiot County high school graduating seniors at trade schools,
community colleges, four-year university programs as well as the military.

The scholarships, known as the Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarships, are awarded to students wishing to extend their education. Financial need is a qualification.

Scholarships will be also awarded based on a student’s character, community service, work ethic, future plans, and motivation.

The average scholarship is $5,000. The entire scholarship application process is online at myvms.org. Applications may also be obtained at the guidance counselor’s office in each of
the six high schools in Gratiot County. The scholarship application, essay, and letters of recommendations can be sent by email or U.S. Postal Service to the individuals listed on the website.

Due date for the application is February 15, 2026.

Scholarship recipients and their respective school districts in 2025 were: Owen Seeley-Alma, Gavin Malek-Ashley, Kayla Goward-Breckenridge, Kendra Pfeil-Fulton, David Munro-Ithaca, Elizabeth Starry-St. Louis,

The scholarship guidelines state all students who apply, regardless of academic achievement, will be considered.

Community volunteers with various backgrounds and locations will review student applications. Decisions on scholarship winners are based on verified qualifications presented in the applications.

10/23/2025

Dear Gratiot County Residents,

The Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship Board cordially invites you to attend the Ithaca Public School Board meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Ithaca Public Schools Administration Building.

We are thrilled to share that our ongoing Veterans Memorial Stadium project has received overwhelming support from our incredible community through thousands of social media posts, phone calls, and emails over the last few months. Your enthusiasm and generosity have brought us closer to honoring our veterans through this meaningful tribute. At this meeting, we are seeking final approval for the flag design and layout, a critical step toward completing the project the way our heroes deserve.

With your support, we hope to secure this approval and shift our focus to our primary mission: raising funds for scholarships to graduating seniors from all six schools in Gratiot County. Alma, Ashley, Breckenridge, Fulton, Ithaca, and St Louis.

Join us to show your support and help us bring this project to completion. Together, we can make a lasting impact for our veterans and our community

Sincerely, Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship Board

09/09/2025

08/11/2025

At 102, Ceo Bauer is one of MSU’s oldest living alums. He also holds the record for the longest history of consecutive giving to his alma mater—72 years and counting.

A rifleman with the storied 95th Infantry Division, Ceo and his fellow soldiers helped liberate the city of Metz, earning them the nickname the “Iron Men of Metz." He was injured in action in November of 1944 and was unable to return to combat. With a Purple Heart and the G.I. Bill to his name, he came to East Lansing in 1945 to earn a civil engineering degree.

After graduation, he joined the Michigan Department of Transportation, where he worked for 30 years, using his degree to build Michigan’s brand-new highway system.

06/04/2025

The stars shine bright in and around Veteran’s Memorial Field in Ithaca.

05/26/2025

Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday that honors the memory of those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

01/24/2025

News release from Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship Program

RE: $30,000 available in scholarships—must apply by FEBRUARY 15



There is $30,000 waiting for Gratiot County students who apply for a scholarship by February 15.

The Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarship program is offering scholarships to support further education for Gratiot County high school graduating seniors at trade schools, community colleges, four-year university programs as well as the military.

The scholarships, known as the Gratiot County Veterans Memorial Scholarships, are awarded to students wishing to extend their education. Financial need is a qualification. Scholarships will be also awarded based on a student’s character, community service, work ethic, future plans, and motivation.

The scholarship is at minimum $5,000. The entire scholarship application process is online at myvms.org. Applications may also be obtained at the guidance counselor’s office in each of the six high schools in Gratiot County. The scholarship application, essay, and letters of recommendations can be sent by email or U.S. Postal Service to the individuals listed on the website. Due date for the application is February 15, 2025.

Scholarship recipients and their respective school districts in 2024 were Eliana Rodriguez, Alma; Clayton Juhas, Ashley; Megan Goward, Breckenridge; Sydney Ash, Fulton; Jordyn Smith, Ithaca; Kylie Acker, St. Louis.

The scholarship guidelines state all students who apply, regardless of academic achievement, will be considered.

Community volunteers with various backgrounds and locations will review student applications. Decisions on scholarship winners are based on verified qualifications presented in the applications.

11/06/2024

Progress pictures! Thank you Blackford Construction for all of the great work!

10/28/2024

The vision is coming into focus, crystal-clear crisp focus.

09/22/2024

Another great article from The Morning Sun highlighting all the amazing work being done at Veteran’s Memorial Field.

Whether heading northbound or southbound on US 127 you see it when passing through Ithaca.