Alyssa H. is the daughter of U.S. Army National Guard Captain Raymond H. II. “My dad was a fun-loving guy who was very passionate about serving others. I loved any time we spent together.” Captain H. II lost his life in 2005 when Alyssa was 11 years old. In a letter home, her father wrote, “My heart aches for the time I am missing; missing important dates, events and special moments. I know you think I see this as just a big adventure and a carefree event for me. I admit I was willing to go. After all, this is what I have trained for for the past 18 years… If I did not go, someone else would have to.”
As a Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (Fallen Patriots) scholarship recipient, Alyssa studied hospitality and resort management at the University of Memphis. She was inspired to choose this major because she was always very interested in working with people and providing a positive experience.
Wanting to help others in a similar situation as her, Alyssa joined the Fallen Patriots team as a Scholarship Administrator in 2019. “Being a recipient helped me so much during my college years, and the opportunity to give back and provide support to other students like me is a truly amazing feeling. Being part of the Fallen Patriots family means I always have a support group and friends who understand what I’ve gone through.”
In college, Alyssa was involved with the Student Veterans Organization and was the director of social media and PR for her sorority Delta Gamma. She encourages other Gold Star students to look back on the parents they have lost fondly and know that they would be proud of their perseverance. “My dad would be proud of how responsible I am and how I have always done whatever I need to accomplish my goals.”
There are approximately 25,000 children who have lost an active duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding.
