Isabella Guappone 2023 recipient
The Thomas A Mangino Chapter 157 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has been awarding annual scholarships to Alliance area graduates since 1991. In 2014 they decided to partner with the AHS Foundation in continuing their support of education with an initial endowment of over $20,000.
Chapter 157, Vietnam Veterans in Alliance, Ohio was founded in September 1985. In 1992, the Chapter’s charter was renamed Thomas A. Mangino, Chapter 157 in honor of Thomas A. Mangino ’62, who was listed as ‘Missing in Action’ near Chu Lai, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam on April 21, 1967. Staff Sergeant Mangino was on combat patrol as an infantryman with Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, Light Infantry Brigade, Task Force Oregon. He was the husband of the late Connie Rhoads Mangino and son of the late Angelo and Helen Micketti Mangino. He was born in Alliance and graduated from Alliance High School in 1962.
Included with Chapter 157’s scholarship endowment was a statement printed in part as follows:
The Vietnam era erupted in violence and ended in silence. There were no welcome home parades. No one
mentioned the war. It was not discussed out loud, nor was its history taught in our schools. Therefore the
stories of valor and sacrifice may well perish with its veterans.
After living through years of indifference, we are now compelled to ensure that their history is preserved.
We believe that the Vietnam Veterans of America, Thomas A. Mangino Chapter 157 of Alliance, through the
Alliance High School Foundation and this Scholarship, will provide assurance that their stories are told. Our
sacrifices will be seen as a legacy preserved for generations to come.
In honor of all Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 157 is transferring more than $20,000.00 to establish
an annual scholarship for an Alliance High School graduate. In doing so, we fulfill our promise that the public
is made aware of Vietnam Veterans sacrifices and to honor with dignity the men and women who served our
country. As the last Vietnam veteran is buried, the flag is folded and taps is played, Chapter 157’s scholarship
will be there for future students ensuring that these veterans will never be forgotten.
Chapter 157 is hopeful that members and other veterans and friends will make future donations to help the endowment grow and allow scholarships amounts to increase in future years. Applicants for this scholarship must be a descendant of an honorably discharged veteran. A copy of the military Honorable Discharge (DD214) for the veteran and a description of the applicant’s relationship to the veteran must accompany the application.
Chapter 157, Vietnam Veterans in Alliance, Ohio was founded in September 1985. In 1992, the Chapter’s charter was renamed Thomas A. Mangino, Chapter 157 in honor of Thomas A. Mangino ’62, who was listed as ‘Missing in Action’ near Chu Lai, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam on April 21, 1967. Staff Sergeant Mangino was on combat patrol as an infantryman with Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, Light Infantry Brigade, Task Force Oregon. He was the husband of the late Connie Rhoads Mangino and son of the late Angelo and Helen Micketti Mangino. He was born in Alliance and graduated from Alliance High School in 1962.
Included with Chapter 157’s scholarship endowment was a statement printed in part as follows:
The Vietnam era erupted in violence and ended in silence. There were no welcome home parades. No one
mentioned the war. It was not discussed out loud, nor was its history taught in our schools. Therefore the
stories of valor and sacrifice may well perish with its veterans.
After living through years of indifference, we are now compelled to ensure that their history is preserved.
We believe that the Vietnam Veterans of America, Thomas A. Mangino Chapter 157 of Alliance, through the
Alliance High School Foundation and this Scholarship, will provide assurance that their stories are told. Our
sacrifices will be seen as a legacy preserved for generations to come.
In honor of all Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 157 is transferring more than $20,000.00 to establish
an annual scholarship for an Alliance High School graduate. In doing so, we fulfill our promise that the public
is made aware of Vietnam Veterans sacrifices and to honor with dignity the men and women who served our
country. As the last Vietnam veteran is buried, the flag is folded and taps is played, Chapter 157’s scholarship
will be there for future students ensuring that these veterans will never be forgotten.
Chapter 157 is hopeful that members and other veterans and friends will make future donations to help the endowment grow and allow scholarships amounts to increase in future years. Applicants for this scholarship must be a descendant of an honorably discharged veteran. A copy of the military Honorable Discharge (DD214) for the veteran and a description of the applicant’s relationship to the veteran must accompany the application.
