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 He became withdrawn and isolated.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

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

2026 Awardees

Objective

In your own words, define the word HONOR and provide an example of someone you know

Naylor High School

Honor can be both a noun, a verb, and an adjective, but in every case, it refers to strong moral principles and living in a way that earns the respect of others. The writing prompt asked me to describe an honorable person, or more specifically, to “ describe a person you believe exemplifies honor.” Any person who is willing to sacrifice their time, health, or mental well-being for the good of others is a great representation of what it is to be honorable. An honorable person consistently chooses to do what is right, even when that requires sacrifice.

After reading about the Scott Garrett Memorial Scholarship, it wouldn’t feel right to write about the honor of anyone but Scott Garrett. This scholarship was created to honor his service, his values, and the exemplary life he lived. Although I didn’t know him personally, hearing about his story has given me a picture of the kind of person he was. His life exemplifies what it means to be honorable. Through his service and sacrifice, his story has left an impression on me.

Scott Garrett lived a life of honor. He sacrificed parts of himself that anyone who has never served in the military can never truly understand. Honor is about making those sacrifices, not because other people will give you praise for it, but because it is the right thing to do. Honoring and remembering people like Scott Garrett helps ensure that the values that he lived his life by are preserved and passed on. The world needs more honorable, courageous, and selfless people like Scott Garrett.

Coleton Armstrong

Class of 2026

Neelyville High School

To me honor is how someone chooses to live. It is the quiet commitment to doing what is right even when no one is watching, having courage, standing for what you believe in, and serving others without expecting anything in return. Honor is respectful and seen through choices, sacrifices, and love.

Whenever I think of honor, I think of my grandpa (Papa) Emmett. I think of him because of his military career and how he lives outside his uniform. His honor to America is inspiring, but the way he treats our family means the most. My father has been absent most of my life, but my Papa stepped into the role without hesitation. He became the person I could depend on no matter what. He has always taken care of my mom and I in every aspect of our lives. He has shown me what strength, love, and honor look like. His career in the military is one of the most inspiring things.

His military career began in 1970 when he joined the Army after high school. He served in Texas and Germany as a mechanic. He was discharged in 1973 and lived three years as a civilian, until he felt called to go back to service. He returned to service in the US Navy, where he served almost two decades and rose to Chief Petty Officer, a rank earned through leadership and respect. He served on multiple ships, he repaired ships, led divisions, trained others, and supported carrier groups during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His career ended in 1993, he told me that he was grateful to have served our country and be an example of what an American is. This saying captures my Papa perfectly, he is humble, proud, and deeply committed to something greater than himself.

As amazing as his career was, what makes him the embodiment of honor to me is what he does in everyday life. Honor is found in acts of love and the tasks that hold families together. Honor is a legacy, and my Papa Emmett is the greatest example of honor I have ever known.

Madelyn Lumby