LCPL Taylor Wild Forever Smiling Foundation Inc.

Lance Corporal Eric Herzberg, USMC and Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild, IV, USMC Scholarship

Scholarship Award Introduction

The Lance Corporal Eric William Herzberg and Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV Scholarship (Herzberg-Wild Scholarship) was established at the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) in 2014 by anonymous donors to honor two fallen Marines, Eric W. Herzberg and Taylor Wild IV, who were both Anne Arundel County residents. Successful applicants will demonstrate their adherence to the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage and Commitment, their ability to persist in the face of significant personal obstacles, and their ability to provide quiet leadership in their school and home community. In 2020, the LCPL Taylor Wild Forever Smiling Foundation Inc was founded as a non-profit to maintain the scholarship and allow for two $10,000 scholarships to be awarded annually.

LCPL Taylor Wild, IV

Taylor adored his younger sister and made it his priority to spend time with her whether it was jumping on the trampoline or on a trip to the Baltimore Aquarium. He shared his passion for baseball with his younger brother; they could always be found together throwing a baseball or football in the backyard. He played baseball from age 5 through high school. Taylor’s mother was one of his favorite teammates whether it was volleyball, bocce or pickle ball. His father was his role model and he shared Taylor’s wish of Taylor joining the police department as a career. Taylor can be described by his tattoos that he collected over time. They represent what was so important to him that he wanted to show the world, forever. His first tattoo of a symbol of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines was to show respect to the United States Marine Corps that helped him build knowledge, be part of an intense brotherhood, travel, and develop the confidence that comes with a big smile. His second tattoo, a quote from Albus Dumbledore, “Death is but the next great adventure.” offered a glimpse into what was important to him as a kid. When Taylor got his next tattoo of a swallow flying over the ocean, his younger sister asked what it meant. He said “A swallow is a bird that can always find its way home, and this means I will always find my way back to you.” His last tattoo of an Oriole bird represented his passion and his home. Taylor deployed to both Afghanistan and Kuwait. Taylor died in a mortar explosion during a training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot on March 18, 2013.

LCPL Eric W. Herzberg

Eric was born on June 7, 1986 at Madigan Army Hospital at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Eric was very creative and enjoyed reading books. As a young boy he would build elaborate designs with Legos and action figures. Eric had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun with his friends. He enjoyed playing soccer, rugby, and pick-up football games. Eric loved being part of a team and did not like attention to be focused on him. He was extremely proud of his Irish Catholic heritage and his faith in God was very important to him. He deeply loved his family and friends and was especially close to his brother and sister. In high school, Eric felt called to become a Marine and joined the United States Marine Corps immediately upon graduation. Eric dedicated his life to protecting and defending our country. Eric was killed in action in Al Anbar, Iraq on October 21, 2006. Eric’s advice to a graduating senior would be to “Listen to your heart and follow what you feel God calling you to do.”

The Herzberg-Wild Scholarship supports graduating Anne Arundel County Public School high school seniors by awarding at least one $10,000 scholarship to a qualified and deserving student each year. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, two $10,000 scholarships have been awarded each year since 2018.

Scholarship Eligibility and Criteria

• Applicant must be an Anne Arundel County public high school senior with a minimum 2.5 grade point average and plans to enter an accredited 2 or 4-year public or private college or university or professional, technical or trades school in fall 2018.
• Applicant must demonstrate the following:
  • Character: exhibit qualities celebrated by the U.S. Marines: honor, courage, and commitment. Other qualities of importance include faith, values, and a demonstrated commitment to family and friends.
  • Quiet Leadership: This scholarship recognizes “unsung heroes,” students who play a critical but quieter role in a team’s success. A “team” includes sports, theater groups, clubs, or any other group activity that may be affiliated with school or conducted outside of school. This person must display trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, empathy, and good citizenship.
  • Resiliency: demonstrate a circumstance that created significant adversity that the applicant has overcome through perseverance and hard work.
  • Financial Need: Applicant must convey how financial assistance through the Scholarship will help them achieve their goals.
• Scholarship recipients are eligible for reapplication for one additional year.

 

The LCPL Taylor Wild Forever Smiling Foundation Inc. is funded almost exclusively by the proceeds from the Taylor Wild Memorial Golf Tournament. By playing in and sponsoring this tournament and by donating to our foundation, you allow us to preserve Taylor's memory and provide much needed scholarships to students who otherwise may not be able to attend college. Thank you very much for the continued support.

Never Alone. Never Forgotten.