JOHNSTON, Iowa — The first-ever ‘Courage Cup’ benefiting Folds of Honor Iowa teed off at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston on Monday.

“We aim to honor their sacrifice by educating their legacy,” said chapter founder Jeramie Eginoire.

The non-profit organization provides scholarships to local family members of fallen and disabled military veterans and, now, first responders.

“Basically, if you need education, you want education, and your family member qualified you, we’re going to get it for you,” he said.

Eginoire, who is also a Captain with the Des Moines Fire Department, started the local chapter about a year ago to support his comrades in arms.

“It’s really encouraging to see that,” he told WHO 13’s Katie Kaplan. “What we’re doing is for everybody on a daily basis. I don’t want to sound arrogant or biased, but what people do when they serve our country, when we serve our communities, that that it’s not forgotten, and that when we need the help after we’ve been given the help, that it’s there for us when we need it.”

For Retired General Ron Dardis, the mission means a lot.

“We were involved with the War on Terror, and we lost members of the Iowa National Guard, 20 members during my tenure, and hundreds that were injured and had lifelong injuries,” he said. “And so we definitely have a need in Iowa for that.”

The retired Air Force veteran and former head of the Iowa National Guard is one of 120 people who participated in the Patriotic golf tournament, which included skydivers holding an American flag, the national anthem, and a reflective pause during the playing of Taps.

Hope Ung, a recipient of the $5,000 scholarship last year, was on hand to chat with golfers and share her experience. Her father, Hung Ung, was forced to medically retire from the Des Moines Police Department in 2020 after suffering a heart attack and two strokes.

“He always wanted to provide service for others. That was his main priority,” she told WHO 13. “He tried to get back into the workforce, but unfortunately, his health would not let him.”

Hope said she used the scholarship to cover some of her undergrad tuition fees at Iowa State University. The monetary assistance helped to make obtaining a higher education much easier, while also honoring her father for years of public service.

“I was able to get through school honestly, with no financial stress,” she said. “It really helped kind of put into perspective all the hard work he’s put in through, that he did dedicate almost 20 years to the police department, and it was it was kind of this rewarding moment for him that although he might not be able to work anymore due to retirement, of medically retiring, having that kind of safety net and knowing that not only would it help him, but also help me get my degree, it was meaningful and honestly priceless for all of us.”

She said she is now working on obtaining a master’s degree.

It is that experience that Folds of Honor supporters hope will continue for even more local heroes.

“Last year, we funded 45 scholarships, but we had 35 that were not funded,” said General Dardis, who has long been a supporter of the national organization. “So, hopefully this year, with the great turnout we have, we’ll be able to fund those and even more.”

The inaugural event sold out in its first round and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Folds of Honor Iowa. After exceeding expectations, organizers expect next year to be bigger and better.

“As of right now, with registration, sponsors, we have upwards of $30,000, which is great for year one,” said Eginoire. “I was hoping to make a few thousand dollars, but to make $30,000, it’s been pretty encouraging.”

The next fundraiser for Folds of Honor Iowa will be the Stars and Strikes Homerun Derby in Norwalk on May 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Ruck of Remembrance will take place in October.