Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship

The first lesson I learned about leadership wasn’t from a textbook, but from watching my father, a disabled Navy veteran whose resilience and discipline from his military service shaped how he ran his own house-moving business. Even when weather conditions were terrible or a crew member called in sick at the last minute, he found ways to keep projects on track and motivate his team. His never-ending spirit and steady resilience have inspired me to pursue a career in graphic design, aiming to lead creative projects that reflect the same perseverance and innovation he showed. While most kids got to see their parents come home from their 9-5 jobs, I would see my hardworking father leave at 7 am and return at 8 pm, often with muddy boots and an aching back. Scrib’s Moving & Heavy Hauling is something my father takes pride in, this is reflected as he has been elected president of the Midstates House Movers Association for this year. During my father's time in the military, he was an AT2, worked on the RQ-2A and RQ-2B Pioneer UAVs, and was present at the ceremony when his aircraft was inducted into the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. While he worked on several drones, this is what, unfortunately, gave him his PTSD. He was on a military detachment with the Marines, doing border patrol exercises and training. The drone set up the targeting for the Marine helicopter to fire its live rounds at fake targets. The helicopter got the coordinates wrong and ended up firing at the rest of the military personnel on the ground. They yelled to abort, but it took a few minutes before they heard the orders. He said the rounds hit so close to them that he felt the dirt flying up and hitting him in the face. This situation and others that he doesn’t talk about led him to have to live with unrelenting PTSD and other disabilities from his service. The combination of PTSD and being disabled makes life extremely difficult for my father. While most people would give up in his situation, he remains strong and runs his own business. It would be an understatement to say that I’m proud of everything my father has done for me. Throughout high school, I was incredibly involved: late-night rehearsals for the One Act, weekly band practices, and weekend speech competitions. No matter how dirty or tired he was, he would show up, sometimes still in his work clothes, sitting in the front row at my band concerts or snapping photos at play productions. My father has supported me throughout my entire life, even fighting through his struggles to lift me through mine. He encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a Graphic Designer, even signing up for community art classes with me to learn more about what I loved. Without my father's dedication and hard work, I am unsure how successful I would be in my education. Having someone I can rely on, even if those closest to me fail, is truly inspiring. Knowing that my father has worked tirelessly through his struggles of depression, PTSD, and even disability has opened my eyes to fighting for my education. My dream is to graduate from college and give back to my father, as he has sacrificed so much for me.

My dad served in the military before I was born, and that was just the beginning of his life of service. After his military career, he became a police officer and later served as a detective. When I was 9, he was shot in the line of duty. He survived, went back to work, and eventually retired with over 25 years in law enforcement. That experience shaped my view of sacrifice, danger, and what it means to serve something bigger than yourself. But what’s inspired me even more is what came after. My dad, along with my mom, took over Bless The Badge—a nonprofit that supports law enforcement families and marriages. They didn’t just keep it going; they completely transformed it. They expanded its reach through national conferences, created new resources, and made it more impactful than ever. Their leadership showed me that entrepreneurship isn’t always about profit—it’s about purpose. Watching them take a nonprofit and reimagine it with such dedication and growth taught me that it’s not just about the work you do—it’s about the change you make. I’ve learned that entrepreneurship can create real, lasting impact, especially when it’s driven by service and a desire to help others. That lesson pushed me to start businesses of my own. I currently run three: 2Brothers Technology (tech support), Cole’s Lawncare (mowing and landscaping), and Gulfside Creative (photography and media). I’ve also launched a kids ministry under Bless The Badge, creating space for other law enforcement kids like me to be seen, heard, and supported. I know how it feels to grow up with silent pressure and constant worry. Helping others through that is something I care deeply about. My parents’ entrepreneurial journey—and my dad’s military service—have had a major impact on my educational path. I plan to pursue a degree in business and cybersecurity because I want to protect others like my dad did, just in a different way. I’m also exploring ministry, specifically youth ministry, because I know what it’s like to feel lost. I rededicated my life and was baptized in April. Now I want to help others navigate their own struggles. Growing up in a home shaped by both service and innovation has shown me the power of using your story to make a difference. My dad’s military service taught me discipline and purpose, and my parents’ work with Bless The Badge taught me how to turn hardship into impact. That’s the legacy I want to carry forward.