Capt Sax Foundation, 69 Lincoln Boulevard, Ste. A #350, Lincoln, CA (2026)

10/11/2026

It's a great honor to introduce one of our newest Capt Sax Scholarship recipients, 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗱! ✈️

John's love of aviation began at a young age, thanks to his father, Jared, a Marine Captain who served with the World Famous Purple Foxes during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. VMM-364 was also the squadron Capt John Sax would later serve with, creating a special connection to our foundation. Growing up, John loved hearing his dad's stories about military history and aviation.

In 2021, John took his first discovery flight and knew he wanted to become a pilot. He completed his first solo flight at just 16 years old in 2024 and earned his Private Pilot Certificate the following summer.

John's accomplishments extend well beyond the cockpit. He participated in Air Force JROTC, helped establish a local chapter of the Young Men's Service League, and worked at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center, sharing his interest in aviation and history with visitors. Today, he's studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, minoring in Intelligence and working toward his Instrument Rating. His long-term goals include flying for an airline, cargo operation, or pursuing a career that combines aviation and intelligence.

In his scholarship essay, John wrote, “My father has been my biggest supporter my whole life, especially in terms of my aviation goals.” Jared passed away from a service-connected injury when John was just 14, but the love of aviation he shared with his son continues to inspire John as he pursues his dreams of becoming a pilot. John hopes to someday establish a scholarship in memory of his father to help other aspiring pilots.

We're so deeply honored to play a small part in John's journey and grateful to see where his aviation career takes him. Please join us in congratulating John and celebrating his path ahead. 💜 ✈️

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

10/01/2026

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍
𝗖𝗽𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗟. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀

Twelve years ago, on October 1, 2014, Cpl Jordan L. Spears was lost at sea during MV-22B flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf while deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. He was a tiltrotor crew chief with VMM-163 (Rein), 11th MEU, embarked aboard USS Makin Island.

Today, we remember Jordan, his service and sacrifice, and the family, friends, and fellow Marines who continue to carry his memory forward. His loss is still felt by those who knew him, served beside him, and love him.

We remember and honor him.

𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈

09/27/2026

On Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, we honor the families, loved ones, and all those whose lives were forever changed by the loss of someone who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation.

Behind every Gold Star is a person deeply loved. A spouse. A parent. A son or daughter. A sibling. A friend. And behind them are families learning to carry forward a life and legacy while navigating a loss that is forever carried.

For Gold Star families, remembrance is not reserved for a single day on the calendar. It lives in birthdays, anniversaries, traditions, photographs, stories retold, and the countless moments when someone should still be there.

As a foundation created in memory of Capt John J. Sax, USMC, this day holds profound meaning for our family and our mission.

We understand that honoring the fallen also means remembering the people who continue to carry them. It means saying their names, sharing their stories, living fully for the years they were not given, and ensuring their service and sacrifice are never reduced to a moment in history.

Today, we stand alongside every Gold Star family and remember the extraordinary lives behind those we have lost.

May we continue to speak their names, may we continue to tell their stories, and may we never forget the families who carry their legacies forward every day.

Honor. Remember. Never Forgotten.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

09/26/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

For John, it started with one flight in a Yak-52 when he was eight years old. That childhood fascination stayed with him and eventually grew into the career and community he loved so deeply.

One of the most special parts of reading Capt Sax Scholarship applications is seeing how often our recipients share a similar story. So many of them write about a dream that started when they were young, whether it was watching airplanes overhead, attending an airshow, sitting in a cockpit for the first time, taking a discovery flight, or simply knowing from an early age that aviation was where they belonged.

Years later, those same kids are earning ratings, becoming instructors, studying engineering, training as maintainers, pursuing aviation degrees, and building careers in the field they once only dreamed about. It is incredibly meaningful to us to be able to play even a small part in helping them continue toward something they have carried with them for so long.

𝗪𝗲’𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. What first sparked your love of aviation? Was there a specific flight, airplane, person, or moment that made you realize this was your path? Tell us in the comments. ✈️

Given in honor of Capt John J. Sax, USMC.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

09/23/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘅 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁. ✈️

Our scholarships support people pursuing education and training throughout aviation, whether you’re just getting started or working toward your next milestone.

Applicants may request funding for flight training and flight hours, ratings and certificates, testing fees, college degrees, technical education, and other aviation-related expenses. Awards range from $500 to $5,000.

The best place to start is our website.

First, visit the FAQ page to review eligibility requirements and answers to common questions. Then, complete the online application and tell us about your aviation goals, what you’re requesting funding for, the challenges you’ve faced along the way, and what brought you to aviation in the first place.

There’s no single “right” path into this community. Our applicants include pilots, maintainers, engineers, air traffic controllers, college students, transitioning service members, veterans, and others pursuing aviation-related education and training.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Have a question that isn’t answered in the FAQ? Reach us at [email protected].

We look forward to learning about you, your goals, and where aviation is taking you.

Given in honor of Capt John J. Sax, USMC.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

09/21/2026

𝗪𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗝. 𝗦𝗮𝘅.

John caught the aviation bug at a young age, and that passion only grew throughout his life. As a civilian CFI, he loved investing in his students and helping others work toward their own aviation goals. He also knew firsthand how expensive flight training can be, and how much support can matter along the way.

The Capt Sax Foundation carries that mission forward by investing in others because John did. He always found time to encourage people, share what he knew, and cheer them on along the way. He believed deeply in his students, the people he mentored, and the friends he made throughout the aviation community.

Through our scholarships, we’re honored to continue that spirit by supporting people pursuing their own place in aviation and helping ease a small part of the financial burden that comes with getting there.

We know John would be so proud of our recipients, and we’re deeply grateful to be able to continue his legacy by helping them take another step toward the dreams they’ve worked so hard for.

Given in honor of Capt John J. Sax, USMC.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

The Capt Sax Foundation provides aviation scholarships and grants to support individuals across the aviation industry. Apply through the link in bio.

09/19/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘅 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

When Zohrah Amiri applied for a Capt Sax Scholarship in 2025, she told us she had wanted to become a pilot since she was a little girl. She remembered running outside whenever an airplane passed overhead, looking up and imagining that someday she would be the one flying it.

Born in Afghanistan, Zohrah moved to the United States with her family in 2016 and continued pursuing a dream that had stayed with her through every chapter of her life. By the time she applied to us, she was already an instrument-rated private pilot working through her commercial training, with the long-term goal of becoming a professional airline pilot.

Zohrah was selected as a Capt Sax Scholar from our June 2025 award round, and we could not be more excited to share what came next:

𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗭𝗼𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲.

One of the things that stood out to us in Zohrah's application was that her goals were never only about where aviation could take her. She wrote about wanting to be an example for other women who may have faced barriers of their own and to eventually give back to the aviation community by supporting other aviators.

That makes celebrating this milestone feel even more special, because she is now able to sit beside another aspiring pilot and help them learn to fly.

On Girls in Aviation Day, we share Zohrah's story in the hope that another girl or young woman somewhere sees a little of her own dream in it.

We are so proud of you, Zohrah, and incredibly grateful that the Capt Sax Foundation has been able to play even a small part in your journey.

Given in honor of Capt John J. Sax, USMC.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”

09/18/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝟳𝟵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲.

American military aviation has roots stretching back more than a century, but on September 18, 1947, the United States Air Force officially became an independent military service following the National Security Act of 1947.

Since then, generations of Airmen have continued to redefine what is possible in the skies.

From the earliest days of military flight to today’s advanced aircraft and long-range missions, the story of the Air Force has been shaped by innovation, adaptability, courage, and the people who continue to push aviation forward.

The CV-22 Osprey pictured here is one example of that continued evolution. Combining vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft, the CV-22 supports U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews conducting long-range special operations missions. This aircraft, assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, was photographed during a training exercise over New Mexico in October 2024.

But behind every aircraft are the Airmen who make the mission possible: pilots, aircrew, maintainers, engineers, operations professionals, and countless others working together in service to our country.

Today, we celebrate them.

To every Airman who has served, those serving today, and the families who stand beside them, thank you for your sacrifice, dedication, and service.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟳𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲.

𝑭𝒍𝒚, 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑾𝒊𝒏.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

09/15/2026

𝗟𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗹 𝗢𝗹𝗴𝗮 𝗘. 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗼, 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗙 (𝗥𝗲𝘁.) made history as the first Hispanic woman to graduate from U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), becoming the first Hispanic female U.S. military pilot.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lt Col Custodio entered Flight Screening Pilot Officer Training School in 1980 and went on to UPT at Laughlin Air Force Base, where she became the first female Northrop T-38 UPT flight instructor.

Her aviation career continued well beyond active-duty service. After transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, she flew for American Airlines and became one of the first Latina commercial airline captains in the United States. She retired from the Air Force in 2003 after nearly 24 years of military service.

Four decades after earning her wings, she returned to the T-38 at Beale Air Force Base in October 2024 for her final flight in a military aircraft, which is where this photo was taken.

We’re grateful to share Lt Col Custodio’s story, not only because of the history she made, but because of the example she continues to set for young people who may be wondering whether there is a place for them in aviation.

We also want to give a shoutout to 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 (𝗟𝗣𝗔), a nonprofit working to inspire, mentor, and develop Latino professionals across aviation and aerospace. Through scholarships, mentorship, education, and professional development, LPA has awarded more than 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 $𝟯.𝟮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟱.

As an aviation-focused foundation, we’re proud to share Lt Col Custodio’s story and help shine a little more light on the work LPA is doing for the next generation.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nancy Falcon.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

09/14/2026

𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲: $𝟭𝟬𝟭𝗸+ 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗝. 𝗦𝗮𝘅.

Honoring John in this way would not be possible without our community of supporters, donors, and volunteers. Every scholarship awarded in his name carries with it the support of so many people who have helped make this mission possible.

John believed in investing in others. He gave his time freely, and he was grateful for every opportunity to encourage someone else to keep going, take a chance on themselves, and pursue dreams that felt outside of their comfort zone.

Being able to continue that part of who John was, by helping and encouraging others, means more to us than we can put into words.

From the beginning, this foundation has been carried by people who knew John, love John, believed in what we were building in his memory, or simply felt connected to the mission. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every shared message, and every word of encouragement has helped us reach this moment. We are deeply grateful for the community we have behind us.

Those selected for this round can expect a call from one of our board members this week. For those who weren’t selected, we truly hope you’ll apply again. Each round, additional weight is given to applicants who’ve applied before, and within this round, two additional repeat applicants were able to receive an award.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐉. 𝐒𝐚𝐱.

𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢 & 𝐆.𝐀.𝐒.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮.”

Capt Sax Foundation

10/11/2026

10/01/2026

09/27/2026

09/26/2026

09/23/2026

09/21/2026

09/19/2026

09/18/2026

09/15/2026

09/14/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request