Several Distinguished Raven FAC Memorial Scholarships are presented annually to qualifying descendants (e.g., natural/adopted children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, etc.) or legal wards of a Lao or Lao-Hmong individual who served in the Royal Laotian Military or Hmong forces in defense of the Kingdom of Laos between 1960 and 1975. This scholarship program is sponsored and administered by the Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society (EAPLS). EAPLS is a non-profit, last-man, veteran organization consisting of Forward Air Controllers (FACs) who lived in Laos, flew under the call sign “Raven” or its predecessor “Butterfly”, and supported Laotian and Hmong forces during the Southeast Asia conflict between 1966 and 1973.
The number of scholarships and the amounts awarded vary. (N.B. Historically, 10-12 scholarships are presented each year with awards on a weighted scale as high as $2,500, but not less than $500 to $1000.) The awards are presented in memory of those Ravens, now deceased, who served and sacrificed that others may enjoy freedom and prosper. Applications are due on the last day of February. Applicants will be notified by the end of April.
