SPC Garrett Scholarship

The Person

Specialist Scott Alan Garrett enlisted into the United States Army from August 08, 2005. He enlisted as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic (91B) and was assigned to the 502nd MRBC following BCT. He was stationed in Hanau, Germany with the 502nd and deployed to Balad, Iraq in 2006. He completed his Active Duty in April, 2009 and received an Honorable Discharge. During his service time, SPC Garrett received the Army Commendation Medal (2), an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2), and the Driver & Mechanic Badge.

Following his service time, he battled PTSD for ten years. He struggled with falling & staying asleep at night. He suffered from mood swings and had a difficult time opening to others. He became withdrawn and isolated. He didn’t want interaction with others of any kind. He became less talkative, and his light-hearted demeanor seemed to disappear. He was being cared for by the VA and was seeing a therapist regularly to help with his PTSD management.

SPC Garrett still managed to place his family first. He preferred to spend his time with those people closest to him, like his brother, Craig Cruz, his mother, Becca Day, or his three children, Gage, Bryce, & Kaylee. He still managed to keep with his youthful side by continuing to work on things and tinker, always working on his truck & his mother’s truck and he even worked as a Maintenance Supervisor for a metal fabricating company, so he was able to do what he loved for a living. More than anything, SPC Scott Garrett was a family man, and his family was the single most important thing in his life. His mother describes him as a big child and the person who would put his own emotions aside to be strong for those who needed him.

SPC Scott Alan Garrett succumbed to his demons and lost the battle against PTSD on October 06, 2019. For more than ten years, Scott struggled to deal with his PTSD while always putting other people before himself. Despite the struggles he had, he always made time for his family, his children, and his friends. More than anything, that was his legacy and that is what he’s remembered for.

NEVER QUIT.

The Legacy

There are a number of phrases in the U.S. military community that are embedded and resounding in a veterans mind that influence behavior, values, and personal ethics.

In the US Army’s Soldier’s Creed, there are four lines called the Warrior Ethos.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

These Ethos are the foundation for what it means to serve this country and the driving force behind this Organization.

There is a saying that’s prominent in the life of a veteran and their family is “no one is truly forgotten until their name is no longer spoken.” That is the essence of the Specialist Scott Garrett Scholarship. Scott Garrett’s name will always be synonymous with our mission to always place the mission first and to never leave a fallen comrade. That extends to his family, his peers, his friends, and his brothers and sisters in arms.

This foundation exists to help fight to keep demons of PTSD, substance abuse, veteran homelessness, and promote post-service purpose.

When I founded this organization, I did not know Gage, or Craig, or Carter, or Scott’s mom, Becca Day. I served with Scott. I knew him. I called him friend. When I created this scholarship, I didn’t know the lengths that Becca was extending herself to help veterans without question, without pomp & circumstance, and without recognition. She wanted only that Scott's fate not be repeated.

As if the stars had aligned, fate put Scott’s family in my path. In 2021, at the first reunion event sponsored by our organization, Becca Day found herself driving to Kentucky, not really knowing if she was ready to face those of us who served with Scott. When I met her at that reunion, I informed her of my plan to kickstart this scholarship on Scott’s name, and Momma Day has been an integral part of my life, this foundation, and the overarching mission to support veterans and our families ever since.

Tragedy cost her a son. It cost Gage a father. It cost Brock an cousin. It cost a brother. A friend.

The Never Quit Foundation’s primary objective is to eradicate these voids in our families’ lives.

At least, in a small, rural community in Southeast Missouri, and in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, Scott Alan Garrett will not be forgotten. This is Scott's Legacy.

JC, Founder

2025 Awardees

Objective

Using 500 characters or less, describe one what one thing you would do to change the world if you had the power.

You only get one shot.

Jenna Hunter

"One thing I would do to change the world if I had the power is make living more affordable. The cost of living is outrageous for most people in the world, and not being able to live comfortably leads to living in anger. There is enough anger in the world as is, and we don't need more. I would make housing cheaper, and make sure there wasn't a person on this earth living on the side of the road. We only live once, and I believe that we should all be able to live it happily and comfortably."

Kyle Tubb

"If I had the power to change the world, I was assure that education is accessible for all. Accessible education for everyone will break the cycle of poverty and would promote successful futures for all. Everyone should have the opportunity to be educated and continue their education, regardless of financial standings and backgrounds. This would make the workforce much more diverse. Accessible education would help build more productive members of society, therefore building a stronger America."

2026 Scholarship Application

SPC Scott A. Garrett Scholarship

The Person

The Legacy

2025 Awardees

Objective

Jenna Hunter

Kyle Tubb

Awardees

2026 Scholarship Application

SPC Scott A. Garrett Scholarship

The Person

The Legacy

2025 Awardees

Objective

Jenna Hunter

Kyle Tubb

Awardees

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