COLD SPRING, Ky. — Jonathan J. Lee, who has spent a total of 730 hours spanning a five-year period volunteering at the local Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has been awarded $20,000 by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to pursue his educational goals of becoming a physician.

The 18-year-old is the recipient of DAV’s Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship, which is awarded annually to the top youth volunteers in DAV’s Voluntary Services program. The scholarship is open to volunteers age 21 and younger who have contributed a minimum of 100 hours credited through DAV or DAV Auxiliary.

The scholarship will be presented at DAV’s 96th National Convention on July 29 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel. Jonathan will receive his scholarship three years after his older sister, Leah Lee, won a $10,000 Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship for her volunteer work at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and the same day his father, Kenneth Lee, will receive the charity’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year award.

Kenneth, who deployed as the commander of the Army’s Company B, 118th Area Support Medical Battalion, was injured in November 2004 by a suicide car bomber in Iraq. Both Jonathan and Leah hope to ultimately serve veterans as physicians through the VA.

“Jonathan’s determination and desire to care for veterans is truly inspiring,” said DAV National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst. “Jonathan’s father was injured in Iraq, so he knows firsthand the sacrifices the men and women in uniform, and their families, make each day. Jonathan is a model volunteer and it is inspiring to see such a young and talented individual giving so much of himself and his time to those who sacrificed for our way of life.”

“Jonathan is an extraordinary young man with a very bright future ahead of him,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Jonathan plans to continue his service by following in his fathers footsteps and serving in the Army as a doctor. Jonathan’s work ethic, positive attitude and commitment to excellence will ensure his future success and make him a great physician.”

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with nearly 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.