The Virginia War Memorial in Richmond is seeking applicants for its Rear Admiral Marocchi Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded annually to two Virginia high school seniors who will enroll in a ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) program at a Virginia college or university in Fall 2026.
It provides two awards of $2,500 each, both given to a graduating senior from a Virginia public or private high school or homeschooled student. These scholarships are intended to recognize Virginia students who plan to serve in the military and participate in ROTC at a Virginia public or private college or university.
Both winners will receive a scholarship award and a certificate from the nonprofit Virginia War Memorial Foundation. They will also be invited to Richmond to be recognized for their work and commitment to serving the nation during the 70th Annual Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Applications and all supporting documents must be received by the Virginia War Memorial via email, on or before Sunday, April 26, 2026 (11:59 pm E.T.). All graduating seniors who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply. Detailed information regarding rules, guidelines and how to enter are available online at https://vawarmemorial.org/learn/contests-scholarships/marocchi/.
The scholarships are named in honor and memory of Rappahannock County resident Rear Admiral John Marocchi, who served in the United States Navy for decades, with a career that spanned service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He passed away in 2014 and rests in Section M of Culpeper National Cemetery.
Admiral Marocchi was one of very few Navy officers to complete Army Airborne training and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Legion of Merit. He also served for over fifteen years as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Virginia War Memorial. He was a person who used every opportunity to teach those around him, and all were able to benefit from his experience and perceptive view of the world. In his memory, a scholarship was created to encourage and enable motivated students who plan to enroll in ROTC at a Virginia college or university.
For additional information or questions, please contact Elizabeth Oglesby, the Virginia War Memorial’s Education Outreach & Programs Manager, at Elizabeth.Oglesby@dvs.virginia.gov or by calling 804-786-9700.
