Operation Nighthawks of Honor fundraiser auction running through end of June

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is in the midst of its award-winning Operation Nighthawks of Honor fundraiser.

In its third year, the merchandise auction features commemorative memorabilia honoring fallen soldiers. It is running online throughout June.

The auction raised almost $1,850 combined in its first two years. Proceeds were donated to the UNG Boar’s Head Brigade Corps of Cadets Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship recipient must be actively participating in the Corps of Cadets, be a resident in one of the military resident halls and be pursuing a commission for active duty in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserves, or, if not on the commissioning track, must agree to earn a military leadership minor (or major if/when that becomes available in the future). The recipient must also have a 2.5 GPA and 3.0 military science GPA.

Each of the university’s sports teams were assigned a UNG graduate or former student who was killed in action while serving the country; the teams commemorated their service members throughout the 2017-18 season. This year’s class featured honorees who were killed during, or associated with, World War I. 

The items up for bid include cross country and track and field team flags, a men’s soccer jersey, a women’s soccer backpack, men’s and women’s tennis framed shadow boxes, a rifle team teddy bear and scrapbook, a women’s golf polo, a baseball team jersey, and a men’s basketball team jersey.

“The Operation Nighthawks of Honor initiative is one that resonates deeply with not only the Nighthawks athletic community, but with our entire campus community,” said Lee Glenn, associate athletic director for external operations. “Being one of six senior military colleges is an honor that we take pride in, and having our student-athletes pay tribute to UNG alums who have paid the ultimate sacrifice is a valuable component to the mission.”

The initiative was launched on the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Operation Nighthawks of Honor was bestowed the NCAA’s highest honor when it was awarded the NCAA Award of Excellence at the 2017 NCAA National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

This is the second year the auction has been online.

This year’s group of honorees were announced in between games of a Peach Belt Conference soccer doubleheader in October.

Honorees were:

• Lucius Wimbrick Boney
• Seaman 2nd Class James Merrell Woodall
• 1st Lt. Thomas M. Brady
• Joseph Wilson Cavender
• Horace Blakely Chestnut
• Robert C. Harlan
• Millard R. Lemon
• Cecil Rutherford Neal
• Koola O. Newell
• Charles Pendley
• Thomas S. Teabolt
• Henry G. Wood
• William Clinton Wood

To bid on any of the items for auction, visit the UNG auctions website.