A Scholarship in honor of MajGen Fred Haynes is under development with a considerable extension of the program in study with GWU and ROTC Programs. The program shall initially provide a $5,000 scholarship to a NROTC Midshipman showing interest in the Pacific Island warfare concepts and campaigns. A scholarship committee has been established, chaired by Sr. Vice President Bonnie Haynes. The idea of the scholarship came from Mr. Gene Colabatistto who is a member of the IJAA Board of Directors.
Leornardo Helocopters provided $2,500 in Februray, 2023 to go towards this scholarship.
Mr. Colabatistto further suggested developing relationships with Iwo Jima Legacy ships, including the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 4), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), USS John Basilone (DDG 12) and possibly a future USS Rosenthal. This support would be to “adopt” the ships and support their MWR program with equipment and events. An effort is currently underway for an association with the USS Iwo Jima currently docked in Norfolk. IJAA has been invited to visit and provide an Iwo Jima Presentation at which IJAA will present a gift to the ship for their wardroom in the form of an “in relief” Iwo Jima Memorial replica carved in the 1940s and gifted to IJAA with the request it be provided for public display. An April 2023 timeframe is under consideration for the visit to the ship.