SALLY ANN SHURMUR Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 4, 2007 12:00 am
Veterans throughout Wyoming are selling raffle tickets for a buffalo hunt to support scholarships named in honor of the 16 Wyoming soldiers and Marines killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The scholarship effort was initiated by the Marine Corps League of Central Wyoming.
The buffalo hunt drawing will take place July 31. The winner may hunt any time from October to January.
Three hundred dollars will be given to the winner toward meat processing costs and the hide and head are given to the shooter.
People wishing to purchase tickets for $5 each may send contributions or a check to: Veterans Project, P.O. Box 50716, Casper, 82602.
All of the Wyoming soldiers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan are buried in Wyoming, with the exception of Marine Sgt. Brendon Reiss, who is buried in his wife's home state of Georgia. Reiss does still have family in Casper and was raised in Hanna and Casper.
The scholarships are all for education in Wyoming, at either the University of Wyoming or one of the state's community colleges nearest to the soldier's hometown or as designated by the family.
The family of Jason Corbett of Casper has chosen not to participate in the scholarship program at this time.
In chronological order of their death, here is a complete list of Wyoming soldiers and Marines lost and their scholarship information.
*Army Pfc. Manuel Davila, Gillette, Iraq, Feb. 27, 1991, scholarship to Sheridan College
*Army Spc. Jonn Edmunds, Cheyenne, Afghanistan, Oct. 19, 2001, Laramie County Community College
*Marine Lt. Shane Childers, Powell, Iraq, March 21, 2003, Northwest College, Powell
*Marine Sgt. Brendon Reiss, Casper, Iraq, March 23, 2003, Casper College
*Army Pfc. Joe Mayek, Rock Springs, Iraq, April 14, 2003, Western Wyoming Community College
*Army Spc. Michael Deuel, Cheyenne, Iraq, June 18, 2003, LCCC
*Army Capt. Leif Nott, Cheyenne, Iraq, July 30, 2003, LCCC
*Army Capt. Robert Lucero, Casper, Iraq, Sept. 25, 2003, Casper College
*Marine Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, Dubois, Iraq, April 9, 2004, Central Wyoming College
*Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Burns, Laramie, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2004, University of Wyoming
*Marine Staff Sgt. Brian Bland, Newcastle, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2005, Eastern Wyoming College
*Army Lt. Col. Charles Munier, Wheatland, Afghanistan, June 12, 2006, ROTC University of Wyoming
*Army Pfc. James Arellano, Cheyenne, Iraq, Aug. 17, 2006, LCCC
*Army Spc. Jason Corbett, Casper, Iraq , Jan. 15, 2007, currently no Marine Corps League scholarship
*Army Pvt. Scott Miller, Casper, Iraq, June 9, 2007, Casper College
*Army Staff Sgt. Brian Long, Burns, Iraq, June 10, 2007, LCCC.
(Note: Archival research provided by the Associated Press and Leo Sanchez of the Marine Corps League.).
Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520; sallyann.shurmur@casperstartribune.net or read her online at www.casperstartribune.net/dishin