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  • Monday, April 30, 2018

    Legion donates $5,000 for scholarship in memory of Dansville airman

    DANSVILLE — The American Legion Department of New York on April 28 donated $5,000 to help establish a scholarship in memory of local Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexandria Gleason Morrow.

    Scholarship Donation

    Department Commander Renda Nessler presents $5,000 check to Staff Sgt. Alexandria Gleason Morrow’s family. From left: Livingston County American Legion President Anita Martucio, Lvingston County American Legion Commander Bob Wallace, Alexandria’s grandparents, Debby Herrmann and Ken Herrmann, her mother Stephanie Shirley, and Commander Nessler.

    The check presentation by Department Commander Rena Nessler followed a day-long fundraiser, featuring food, raffles and auctions at Legion posts throughout Livingston County.

    Overall, the night brought in a total of $7,168 for the scholarship, news media reported.

    Alexandria, 25, died in March 2017 after being injured while performing maintenance in Jordan in support of combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. She was a member of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho and was with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing while in the Middle East. She also was a dual member of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

    “The American Legion Department of New York is proud help establish this scholarship in memory of Staff Sgt. Alexandria Gleason Morrow,” Commander Nessler said. “The Legion’s core pillars include honoring our veterans and military members and giving back to our communities, and there are few better ways to accomplish both tasks than to help fund a scholarship like this. We are forever grateful for Staff Sgt. Gleason Morrow’s service to our country and are proud to help her legacy live on.”

    Supporting local students with a scholarship was just one way to repay Alexandria for her service and sacrifice, Livingston County American Legion Commander Bob Wallace noted.

    Livingston County American Legion Auxiliary President Anita Martucio added: “As a dual member of both the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, Alexandria committed herself to serving our community, so it’s only right that we return the favor by establishing a scholarship in her name.”