Scholarship Honors Fallen Navy SEAL

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob L. Dillon

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- An East Coast based SEAL team hosted a scholarship presentation on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., June 6.

The scholarship was awarded in memory of Lt. Michael M. McGreevy, who died during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2005.

The $8,000 scholarship is awarded yearly to a high school senior from McGreevy's hometown of Portville, N.Y., and Virginia Beach, Va. McGreevy's mother, Pat Mackin, and his wife, Laura McGreevy, interview the applicants and choose the winners. This is the fourth year the scholarship has been awarded.

"There is a wide variety of criteria looked at by Mike's (McGreevy) wife and mother in choosing the winning applicant," said Larry Welty, lifelong friend of McGreevy and event organizer. "They really look and see who the applicants are as individual people; the applicants character, dedication, leadership and desire to serve the community are all closely looked at."

The purpose of the scholarship is to keep McGreevy's memory alive said Welty.

"This scholarship is a great way to honor Mike and maintain what he stood for," said Welty. "This is the best way, year after year, to let kids in the communities, which Mike was apart of, know what kind of person he was and what principles guided his life."

High school seniors from Portville Central High School in Portville, N.Y., visited the SEAL team. The students received hands-on demonstrations of equipment SEALs use, and the SEALs talked to the students about life in naval special warfare.

After the students interacted with the SEALs, the scholarship presentation took place. This year's winner was Tayler Clark.

"I was so nervous during the application and interview process," Clark said. "I feel so happy and feel some added pressure in receiving the scholarship. I understand the importance of this scholarship, and I hope I can perform to the level for which Mike McGreevy stood for.”