Tim Schulz, a veteran of two wars, my cousin and now a student accepted to Columbia University!

Nobody deserves it more. After signing up for the Army on September 10th, 2001 - the day before the world changed forever....he served first in Iraq in intelligence and just when he was able to come home, was told he was stop-lossed and sent back to Afghanistan...days before Christmas. He came home older obviously, but wiser and focused and with a wider world view. He wanted to complete his degree, but so many schools seemed wrong as he was past the average college student mentality....parties, fraternities....these things no longer fit into the vision he had for his future. After a few false starts he located the Middle Eastern Language and Central Asian Cultures program at Columbia University. They recognized what a unique, and brilliant young man he was, with so much to offer the world. He will be starting in the fall and bringing along his beautiful wife Christina and a new baby boy who will get to be part of this incredible journey.

From Scots Immigrant Coal Miners to blue collar workers to the Ivy League. His ancestors who all worked hard to help each generation achieve just a bit more than they could - are smiling down on him now. In Ancient China, there was a major belief that our ancestors guided us in our decisions and helped us along in our quests to better our lives. I believe our ancestors are doing alot of celebrating right now! I know of no one more deserving than Tim. His service to our nation was recognized and rewarded...the many lessons he learned in Iraq and Afghanistan have added to his incredible potential. My wish for the future is that all of our veterans are given these same opportunties they deserve...I am so proud of him.