Lockheed Martin Honors Two Wounded Army Veterans through Scholarship Program

"The Fighting Spirit Scholarship program is an opportunity for Lockheed Martin to directly support the warfighters who embody extraordinary courage and sacrifice," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "This program is intended to enhance the professional and personal growth of two individuals who represent the mission of the program and the mission of those who serve and defend our great nation."

Able Flight selected U.S. Army veteran Staff Sgt. Robert Bartlett who was critically injured in Iraq in 2005 when his Humvee was struck by an explosive projectile, causing injuries to his face and hands, and the loss of one eye. After completing Able Flight's six-week flight school, held at Purdue University's Department of Aviation Technology, Bartlett will receive a pilot's license and earn his wings during a presentation at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in July 2018.

"Words could never express my gratitude for the actions that Lockheed Martin has taken to help me and my family," Bartlett said. "The Fighting Spirit Scholarship means hope for a better future for me and always being able to provide for all my family's needs. This scholarship will change my life forever and give me a chance at a new life beyond my wounds."

Warrior Sailing Program selected U.S. Army veteran Staff Sgt. Jay Fondren, a triple-amputee injured in Iraq in 2004 after an improvised explosive device struck his patrol vehicle. Fondren will earn a nationally recognized Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification after successful completion of the Warrior Sailing Program's Basic and Advanced Training programs.

"I feel greatly honored to receive the Fighting Spirit Scholarship," said Fondren. "I hope my example in life will motivate other wounded veterans to live life to the fullest. You can't let your disability keep you from doing what you want to do. You have to find a way to overcome it or get around it, especially when it comes to doing things with your family."

In addition to attending the training programs at no cost, each scholarship recipient and guest receives roundtrip flights to Fort Worth and a tour of the Lockheed Martin F-35 production facility, VIP tickets to the 2017 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl game and access to other exclusive bowl-related activities.

Both Able Flight and Warrior Sailing Program selected one candidate for the Fighting Spirit Scholarship from the pool of applicants who applied through their respective websites.

Learn more about the stories of Staff Sgt. Robert Bartlett and Staff Sgt. Jay Fondren, and how you can support the veteran community at LockheedMartin.com/FightingSpirit.

About Able Flight
Founded as a nonprofit organization in 2006, Able Flight provides flight training and aviation career training scholarships for people with a variety of physical disabilities, including wounded and disabled veterans. http://ableflight.org/

About Warrior Sailing Program
Warrior Sailing Program is an official program of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Sailing Foundation and offers the organizational and technical expertise to create opportunities ranging from introductory level sailing through world sailing competition. Programming is achieved through partnerships and collaborations within the sailing community, military programs and affiliates, with funding from generous supporters. The alliance between these working relationships allows Warrior Sailing Program to stay focused on improving the lives of service members with disabilities and inspiring a new outlook for participants and the communities in which they serve. www.warriorsailing.org

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

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