No Greater Sacrifice Foundation

Jonathan Player is a freshman at the University of Alabama in Birmingham where he majors in Computer Science. Introduced to the field during his early teen years, Jonathan was inspired to pursue a major in computer science after successfully building
his own computer.

Although the transition from high school to college has been a bit challenging, Jonathan is adapting well to life at UAB. He is a member of a computer science cohort and appreciates the library’s extended hours. Jonathan feeds his soul through the student-led campus ministry, RANSOM, and visits the gym as often as possible. He also really enjoys philosophy class and explains, “Just last week we contemplated if artificial intelligence could gain consciousness.”

Jonathan is the third NGS scholar in the Player family. His sister, Stasia, graduated from UAB in the spring of 2022, and his brother, William, will graduate from UAB in the spring of 2023. Their father, Army Master Sergeant Michael Player, was severely wounded in action by a rocket attack while serving in Afghanistan in 2004.

“The support of the No Greater Sacrifice scholarship in pursuit of my academic endeavors allows me to use my time more freely. Not only am I able to worry less about the financial burden of college, I am also able to pursue other interests as well. I’ve been able to maintain my academic goals and expand upon my long-term plan by learning specific math skills in advance, engaging more on campus, and thinking ahead for next semester and beyond.”

NGS would also like to thank our amazing partner, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, for their support of Jonathan’s academic journey!

Timeline photos

The Veteran Wellness Alliance is a team which enhances the connection from health care provider to military veterans, active duty, reservists/Guard, and their family members who are seeking mental health treatment.

Check-In is a technology platform the Alliance developed which enables easy referral to treatment based on veteran and family needs. Check-In gives those seeking care the opportunity to speak to our licensed clinical social worker, who can provide them with an array of care options in all 50 states, ranging from intensive outpatient to telehealth options.

If you answer yes to any of the listed questions, please consider reaching out via this link: https://www.veterancheckin.org/s/

- Do you find yourself having trouble focusing, concentrating, or remembering things?

- Are you struggling with sleep, headaches, loss of energy or appetite, or substance abuse?

- Have you experienced a disruptive life event such as a break-up or divorce, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job?

- Do you feel angry, sad, frustrated, overwhelmed, or alone?

- Do you just want to improve your mental well-being and live a healthier life?

Jasmine Rymer is a first-year student at the University of Central Florida. With interests in software development and civic engagement, Jasmine majors in both Information Technology and Political Science. She intends to continue her studies through graduate school and pursue a career in software development while being politically active in her local community.⁠
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Jasmine was motivated to pursue IT while enrolled in an intro to robotics and electronic technology during high school. “I needed to fill out my schedule and this college level course was available. I was one of only four students in the class which allowed us to form a close-knit team. It was so exciting to learn coding and see the results.”⁠
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Leaving home in Arkansas to pursue an undergraduate degree at one of the largest universities in the nation compelled Jasmine to establish a support network of new friends and involve herself in campus activities. She finds comfort in student religious groups and is excited to be a member of the Robotics Club. “I’m part of a team that is creating an autonomous gardening robot that, hopefully, will be able to monitor and adjust temperatures inside a greenhouse, manage soil quality, and generally care for that environment.”⁠
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Jasmine was less than a year old when her father, Army SPC Lyle Wyman Rymer II, was killed in action while serving in Iraq. “I don’t personally know the man whose name I bear, but I know my dad from stories. I know him as a great friend, a Christian, and a father who loved his children. Knowing that he did everything with his children in mind has created a goal for me to make him proud. The No Greater Sacrifice scholarship honors the sacrifice my father has given, brings peace to my family during this transition to college, and a future that offers more freedom.”⁠
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NGS would also like to thank our amazing partner, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, for their support of Jasmine’s academic journey!

is a global day of giving, inviting YOU to celebrate the holiday season by giving back.

On this day, give to Honor the Sacrifice: the No Greater Sacrifice campaign to fully fund 50 children of our nation's fallen and severely wounded for four years of college.

When you give and spread the word to your family and friends, you are giving the gift of education and hope for a brighter future to those that have sacrificed greatly for our Nation.

You can donate here: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1386277

Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/26-1572599 this Cyber Monday and AmazonSmile donates to No Greater Sacrifice Foundation. Bookmark this link!⁠
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You can support No Greater Sacrifice through AmazonSmile on iPhone & Android phones.⁠
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Follow these steps to get the app:⁠
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Step 1 - Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.⁠
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Step 2 - Join AmazonSmile. If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, simply sign up at smile.amazon.com and select No Greater Sacrifice to start generating donations, at no cost to you.⁠
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Step 3 - Turn on AmazonSmile⁠
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Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.

NGS is excited to highlight Gracie Edmundson and her impressive lawn care & handywoman business for Small Business Saturday.

Gracie says, "I am honored to share about my small business. I don’t have a business name. The people I do work for call me diligent, I’ll leave it at that. My story is like a lot of small businesses. There was a need in our neighborhood to assist neighbors with odd jobs. By word of mouth my business grew. I have strived to do the very best I can do and it has proven to be a good selling feature because I have many return customers! I have mowed and raked lawns, pulled weeds, cleaned cars, campers and pressure sprayed driveways to name a few jobs.
I have found this business to be beneficial for me, not only financially but also because my studies come first. I am able to take my jobs and do them when it is best for me. Of course they are always done in a timely manner as a satisfied customer is a happy customer."

Gracie is a senior in high school and is currently considering her college options. She is a competitive equine athlete and has an offer to ride in college. Gracie's father, Eric Edmundson, was severely injured near the Iraq/Syria border in 2005. Eric suffered a traumatic and anoxic brain injury when an IED exploded under his Stryker vehicle.

NGS is honored to support Gracie and her family and is thankful Gracie allowed us to spotlight her growing business as she works hard to serve her community. Keep up the great work, Gracie!

This Black Friday, shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/26-1572599 and AmazonSmile donates to No Greater Sacrifice Foundation. Bookmark this link!

You can now support No Greater Sacrifice through AmazonSmile on iPhone & Android phones.

Follow these steps to get the app:

Step 1 - Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

Step 2 - Join AmazonSmile. If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, simply sign up at smile.amazon.com and select No Greater Sacrifice to start generating donations, at no cost to you.

Step 3 - Turn on AmazonSmile

Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.

A season full of thankfulness: No Greater Sacrifice is thankful for the service and sacrifices of our Service men and women and their families. We will never forget them.

As the season of thankfulness is upon us, we want to highlight some of the amazing letters we have received from our recipients. You should know how much your support means.⁠
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Mary Robles will graduate from Texas Tech University in May, 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History and a Minor in Spanish. She will continue at Texas Tech to earn a Master of Arts in Heritage and Museum Sciences and intends on pursuing a career as a museum curator or historian. She is currently the Treasurer and Fundraising Chairperson in a law organization on campus called Future Lawyer of Today, and is also a member of Future Lawyers of Today’s Mock Trial team. She is the only child of Master Sergeant Daniel Robles (Ret.).⁠
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In April 2006, Army Master Sergeant Daniel Robles was on his third deployment when he lost both of his legs in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack near Baghdad, Iraq. As the Mortar Platoon Sergeant, MSG Robles was leading a mission to investigate a possible weapons cache site when his vehicle was hit by the IED.⁠
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Seeing the devastation to his legs and feet, he knew he had been seriously injured. Trapped in the vehicle, and not wanting to go into shock, he refocused his thoughts and began shouting orders to his men telling them to secure the location. Amid all of the commotion the vehicle caught fire. Luckily, it was extinguished before jeopardizing the lives of those still trapped inside. Communicating over hand-held radio, MSG Robles called for a medic and assisted as his Soldiers, one of them injured and unable to open his eyes, applied tourniquets to both of his legs. The attack resulted in the traumatic amputation of both legs below the knee. He underwent numerous surgeries and fought an infection that almost killed him. He was later awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his bravery in combat.⁠
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No Greater Sacrifice is grateful to the Gary Sinise Foundation for their support of Mary.

As the season of thankfulness is upon us, we want to highlight some of the amazing letters we have received from our recipients. You should know how much your support means.⁠
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Keira Vida Hannon White grew up in Rota, Spain, where she graduated Valedictorian of her class at David Glasgow Farragut High School. She is currently a sophomore attending St. Andrews University in Scotland, and the College of William & Mary in Virginia. She is studying International Relations through the schools’ International Honors Joint Degree Program. Vida plans on continuing her education to the doctoral level and then becoming a U.S, foreign service officer. In her free time, Vida enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends, and spending time in nature.⁠
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As the child of U.S. diplomats, Vida’s father, Navy Commander John Scott Hannon, known as Scott, grew up in Tanzania, the Soviet Union, England, Belgium, Virginia, and Montana. Scott enlisted in the Navy in 1989 and from 1995 to 2003 he completed deployments to Europe and the Middle East as a Navy SEAL. In 2003, he joined the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.A. in Political Science in 1995 and later continued his studies at Tuck Business School at Dartmouth College. Scott then worked in the U.S. Special Operations Command until he retired in 2012. Scott spent the latter parts of his life in Helena, Montana working with Montana Wild, Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue, Habitat for Humanity, Prickly Pear Land Trust, and the Montana chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Scott passed away in February of 2018 from his invisible war wounds.⁠
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NGS will never forget the service and sacrifices of Keira, her father and her whole family.

Miles Harrington is a junior at East Carolina University where he majors in Information and Computer Technology. Miles has been nurturing an interest in computers since early childhood. He recalls visiting the YMCA and being more inclined to spend time in the computer lab than on the gym floor. By high school he was a member of an after-school computer club and jumped at the chance to take a cybersecurity class.

Miles has also drawn inspiration and motivation from his father, Retired US Army MSG Rodney Harrington. MSG Harrington completed over 23 years of service including multiple combat tours. Because of his own professional experience in computer sciences and analytics, MSG Harrington has been able to offer academic guidance throughout Miles’ academic journey.

Like most current collegiate upperclassmen, Miles had a difficult freshman experience when coronavirus forced students to return home and transition to online instruction. Miles was able to make new friends and important academic connections when he returned to campus for his sophomore year and is thoroughly enjoying his closer-to-normal junior year. He has earned membership in Sigma Alpha Lambda, a National Leadership and Honors Organization. Based on his academic achievements, Miles was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has continuously earned his place on the Dean’s List. He commends ECU for offering a large variety of student services including multiple clubs related to computer science.

To compliment his major and enhance future job prospects, Miles is looking into internship opportunities with Cisco Systems. Ultimately, he plans to pursue a career providing critical protection as an Information Security Analyst.

“I owe a debt of gratitude to No Greater Sacrifice (NGS) for selecting me as a scholarship recipient. Your aid has provided me the opportunity to focus on my educational goals without financial distractions. For this honor, I am deeply appreciative of your support and dedication to the dependents of combat veterans.”

NGS would also like to thank our amazing partner, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, for their support of Miles’ academic journey!

Three great takeaways from Magellan Federal's recent webinar on purpose which was available to NGS Senior Scholars!

- Purpose is cultivated
- Purpose does not have to be grandiose
- Purpose impacts our wellness and ability to thrive

Thank you, Magellan for your wonderful insights which are relevant for all of us but especially important for our graduating Senior Scholars. Times of transition & change demand a heightened sense of purpose from us in order to discern what we want and who we are.

NGS is honored to have partnered with Behavior & Performance Research for their Million Meter Muster this past Veterans Day. Participants accumulated their meter output of choice over the course of 24hrs in remembrance and honor of our Veteran's service and sacrifices, even some doing 12hr and 24hr-long efforts! NGS is grateful to the BPR community for their selfless support which was cemented in a successful Million Meter Muster as donations went directly toward our mission to provide educational scholarships to children of fallen and severely wounded Service members.

Morgan Spooneybarger is a junior at The University of Toledo majoring in Physics with a concentration in Applied Physics. She is a student of the Jesup Scott Honors College and serves as Vice President of the Society of Physics Students. In her free time, Morgan enjoys honing her music skills by playing clarinet and violin.

Morgan’s life-long goal is to expand upon physics research. She currently participates in a multi-semester research project and is being considered for a NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Pathways Internship. Morgan will be applying to graduate school and looks forward to leading the next generation of students as a physics professor.

Morgan is joined at the University of Toledo by her twin sister, Chloe, who studies pharmaceutical sciences. Their father, Army SFC Charles Spooneybarger, was medically retired as a result of injuries sustained while serving as a combat engineer in Iraq.

"I wanted to start out by thanking you for everything. Every day it becomes more real, and I cannot express how much this means to me. You've taken so much stress off of my shoulders."

NGS would like to thank our amazing partner, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, for their support in making Morgan’s dreams come true.

Ret. U.S. Navy SCPO Kenton Stacy was severely injured on November 19, 2017 while serving in Syria. Kenton was struck by an IED during a hospital-clearing mission. As a result of the blast, Kenton became a quadriplegic, was blinded in his left eye and also experiences issues with speech. Kenton has undergone extensive rehabilitation in several facilities. Kenton has received numerous awards for his service including a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart and three Navy Achievement Medals. He was named the 2010 USO Sailor of the Year.

NGS is honored to support Kenton and his family, including his four children: Annabelle, Sadie, Mason and TJ. We will never forget the immense sacrifices Kenton and his family have made in service and commitment to our country.