Master Gunnery Sergeant Easter joined the Marine Corps in March 1943. Served with various squadrons to include HMX-1 and combat duty in the Pacific and Vietnam. A leader, teacher, mentor, friend and American Hero. Throughout an illustrious career, MGySgt Easter influenced and touched many. The epitome of a Marine, during the 2016 POPASMOKE reunion, the Easter family established an endowment to support the scholarship fund. The Master Gunnery Sergeant and Mrs. Dot Easter Memorial Scholarship may be awarded to a dependent child/grandchild of a USMC/Combat Helicopter & Tiltrotor Association "regular" or "associate" member, age 24 and under as of application deadline (associate members must have prior Marine Corps/Navy service or be a spouse of a deceased member); or to a spouse of an active-duty Marine or Navy service personnel who is a member of the USMC/Combat Helicopter & Tiltrotor Association. Applicants may be current high school seniors or graduates who have been accepted or students who are already enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-or four-year college or university or vocational-technical school for the academic year. Spouses may attend full-time or part-time (a minimum of six credits per term) at any university, college or vocational school. Spouses may also use the award for non-degree licensure/certification programs regardless of whether an undergraduate degree has already been completed. There is not an age limit for spouses of marines or sailors. The scholarship program is for undergraduate study. If currently enrolled, applicants must provide a copy of their latest transcript. If accepted, applicants must provide a copy of their acceptance letter. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.