Helping Others Today (HOT)
The Friendship Fund
HOT supports the Friendship Fund at the United States Military Academy.
The purpose of this Fund is to create relationships between young leaders of the US, the former Soviet Union and China.
The Friendship Fund was created in 1992 by Major General (ret) Bernard Loeffke in memory of Sergeant Larry Morford, a young NCO who sought ways to build friendships between nations during the Vietnam War until his untimely death. Each year, the Friendship Fund makes it possible for fourth-year Russian and Chinese majors at the United States Military Academy to participate in an academic competition called the Friendship Award.
The Friendship Award seeks to inspire future American soldier-statesmen (cadets) to increase their understanding of their Russian and Chinese colleagues, and vice versa. MG Loeffke believes that one way to strengthen peace is to encourage West Point cadets to establish friendships with the junior military leaders of other nations. He strongly believes that these long-term personal relationships have the potential to foster peaceful engagement between countries in the future.
To this end, General Loeffke's vision is that American cadets write -- in Russian or Chinese -- about ways to improve Russian / Chinese-US national security relations, while Russian and Chinese cadets write -- in English -- about the same topic. Written submissions may be in any form -- a true story, a work of fiction, a poem, an essay, a song -- that demonstrates understanding and creative thinking about ways to bridge differences and bring peace. The annual Friendship Award is presented to those whose written expression makes evident a dedication to the ideals of building friendships between peoples.
Be a peacemaker!
Sponsor a cadet and make a difference in US, Russian and Chinese relations!
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to The Friendship Fund (S10-MR674) at:
Association of Graduates
US Military Academy
West Point, NY 10996
Donors of $100 or more receive a fantastic West Point Certificate.
Sponsor a cadet and make a difference in US, Russian and Chinese relations!
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to The Friendship Fund (S10-MR674) at:
Association of Graduates
US Military Academy
West Point, NY 10996
Donors of $100 or more receive a fantastic West Point Certificate.
Cadets
Alex Helling, George Lemeur, and, Taylor Pearce on their cultural visit
to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Cadets Blaine Williams and Kendall Polling make friends on the Great Wall while participating in the Semester Abroad Program. They are working ton the Chinese-US rendition of the classic international hit "YMCA".