
Spc. Ethan J. Martin, 22 of Lewiston, Idaho, died August 7, 2012 in Koragay, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered enemy small arms fire by ambush.
Martin was assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary.
Lt’s driver for Combat Platoon
140th Calvary Airborne
4th BDE
25th Infantry Division
Inspired by his desire to attend nursing school after he got out of the military, the Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship Fund has been established to help others with similar aspirations.
Congratulations to the 2023 Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship RECIPIENTS
$2,000.00 Scholarship Recipients
Emilee Schultz
Geneva Community High School
Waubonsee Community College
Chaitan Grewel
Burlington Central High School
Indiana University – Bloomington
$1,500.00 Scholarship Recipient
Andrew Berry
Geneva Community High School
Purdue University
$1,000.00 Scholarship Recipients
Alexandra Soeder
Geneva Community High School
DePaul University, Illinois
Heath Powers
United States Naval Academy
University of Tampa, Florida
$500.00 Scholarship Recipients
Emma Gagliardi
St. Charles East High School
University of Missouri
Ian Hunter Pawlak
Hampshire High School
Carthage College of Kenosha Wisconsin
Jessica Maria Contreras
St. Charles East High School
College of DuPage- Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Rachel Blahnik
Batavia High School
Belmont University of Nashville, TN
Tyler Glowacki
South Elgin High School
Upper Iowa University of Fayette, Iowa
Congratulations to the 2022 Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship RECIPIENTS
Anna McNicholas
Graduated from Dundee Crown HS
College studies -Special Education
Attending Illinois State University
Awarded $2,500
Alex Wietrzykowski
Graduated from Geneva Community HS
Attending Arizona State University
College studies – Substance Abuse / Rehabilitation Counselor
Awarded $2,000
Barbara Strugalla
Graduated from Geneva Community HS
Attending University of Wisconsin Madison
College studies -Animal Sciences
Awarded $2,000
Jessica McClure
Graduated from South Elgin HS
Attending Carthage College, Kenosha Wisconsin
College studies – Business Management
Awarded $1,500
Ellie Fischer
Graduated from South Elgin HS
Attending University of Iowa
College studies – English and Creative Writing
Awarded $1,000
Ella Kate Nail
Graduated from Larkin HS
Attending University of Iowa
College studies – Biomedical Engineering
Awarded $1,000
Lucienne J. Petit
Graduated from IMSA
Attending University of Illinois at Chicago
College studies -Neuroscience
Awarded $1,000
First College Graduate Recipient of the Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship
A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation is proud to announce Katie Kaldenbeger the first College Graduate Recipient of the Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship. We wish Katie Kaldenberger much success in her future endeavors. We are so PROUD of you Katie!

I wanted to send you an update to share with the Scholarship Board. I’m excited to say I graduated from Elmhurst University on May 22, 2021. I completed two majors and a minor: Economics, Business Administration, and Mathematics. I earned Magna Cum Laude honors; finishing in the top five percent of my class with a 3.83 / 4 gpa. I am happy to announce that I have accepted a job offer at a consulting firm in Chicago. I will start my new career on June 7th. Thank you again to the A Salute to Our Heroes Foundation for awarding me the Inaugural Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship. I hope I made you proud.
With gratitude,
Katie Kaldenberger
2019 RECIPIENT OF Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship
It is with our esteem honor and privilege to announce that “A Salute To Our Heroes” Scholarship Board and Foundation has chosen Katie Kaldenberger as the inaugural 2019 Recipient of
the “Specialist Ethan J. Martin” Scholarship. Katie was awarded a $3,000.00 scholarship on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019, at Bowes Creek Country Club, Elgin, IL. Ms. Kaldenberger is in her third year at Elmhurst College and is majoring in Actuarial Science.



Dear Scholarship Board,
I am so thankful that I got to meet you on Thursday, August 22, 2019. I want to thank you again for selecting me as your inaugural scholarship recipient of the Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship. I was very happy that I was able to introduce my family to you. It is truly an honor to receive your scholarship. I hope I will make you proud as I represent your foundation and help support your admirable cause.
With gratitude,
Katie Kaldenberger
Scholarship Application Information
Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship
AWARD: Varies
DEADLINE: Varies
PROVIDED BY: A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation
DESCRIPTION
A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation would like to announce a scholarship program named as “Spc. Ethan J. Martin’ Scholarship”. The program is open to assist children of select active duty, reserve, or retired members of the ALL 5 United States Military Branches of Service who plan to continue their education in college and or trade school. To be eligible for this award, candidates must be daughters, sons, grandsons, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, great-grandsons of veterans. The applicant must reside in Kane County, Illinois. Scholarships will be awarded for 2023 and amount will vary. The candidate applying must hold a 3.0 GPA. Money awarded will be applied directly to a Junior College, University and or Trade School that is accredited of the awarded candidate if selected.
To apply for an application, go to: asalutetoourheroes@gmail.com
This scholarship program is administered by A Salute To Our Heroes. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.