Scholarship Launched In Honor Of Gunny Terry Ball Jr. , Killed in Iraq in 2005

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Howard Altman

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM

How much does the Tampa Bay area love its Marines?

A lot, going by the more than 1,000 people who showed up at Tampa International Airport on Sunday to welcome home Cpl. Mike Nicholson, who lost three limbs in Afghanistan.

Now there’s a new cause on behalf of a local Marine.

The Marine Corps Scholarship Fund has established a scholarship in memory of Gunnery Sgt. Terry Ball Jr., who died after being injured by a roadside bomb on August 5, 2005 near Al Karmah, Iraq.

Ball left behind a wife and three children.  The Tampa Bay committee will launch the scholarship at this year’s 18th annual charity golf tournament on Monday, March 26. The event will be held at the Emerald Greens Golf Resort, 13903 Clubhouse Dr., Tampa.

Retired Major General Gene Deegan, the Tampa Bay committee leader,  stated “each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and members of our local business community in Tampa Bay. It is through this continued support that we have been provided with the opportunity to recognize Gunny Ball for his sacrifice by naming a scholarship in his honor.”

Donations made online at http://www.MCSF.org/TampaBayGolf will go directly to the Gunny Ball Scholarship fund.

Federal Tax ID # is 22-1905062

For more information, contact Deegan at (813) 968-9635