Classmates Start Scholarship in Soldier's Honor

On February 25, 2012, Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis, a 1986 graduate of Calloway County High School and a Special Operations officer on his second tour with the U.S. Air Force, was shot and killed in Kabul, Afghanistan. Fluent in two local languages, his service in the Air Force was highlighted by his search for a different approach to American military presence in Afghanistan, in which the military worked side-by-side with the Afghan military and police to resolve issues of public safety with respect for religion and tradition.  He had been given the Pashto name of Esan, meaning the quality of being generous.

When the news media broke the story of Darin’s death in the shooting of two officers inside the highly secured Afghanistan Interior Ministry, his CCHS classmates began to share their memories on Facebook, email, and on the phone. Based on those talks, members of the 1986 graduating class have set a goal to raise $30,000 over the next five years to fund an endowed scholarship in his name to honor and remember Darin’s service and commitment. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a CCHS senior demonstrating academic excellence, interest in international affairs, and community service. Indicators may include intent to study foreign languages, academic record, and volunteerism. Pledges presently total about $7,500. 

The class is hoping the community will choose to support this scholarship fund in honor of Darin’s military service. Because they recognized their own limitations to accept and manage funds long-term, his classmates chose the Community Foundation of West Kentucky, which has a Murray-Calloway County affiliate, to handle gifts that are made. Contributions to the fund may be made via check to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky, P.O. Box 7901, Paducah, KY 42002 with a note in the memo field, John Darin Loftis Scholarship Fund.

For more information about the fund, and the involvement of the CCHS Class of 1986, please contact Jennifer Jarrett, jjarrett0628@yahoo.com. Additional Class of ’86 contacts include Mark Thorn, thornmark@air-evac.com, and Tim Weatherford,  weatherfordtim@hotmail.com. 
To learn about other community giving options to support the fund, please contact Sandra Harben, Community Foundation of West Kentucky, sharben@cfwestky.org, or visit their website at http://cfwestky.org/.

More information about Darin and his military service may be found at the following:

‘Call Me Ehsann’, New York Times Interview, March 23, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/opinion/call-me-ehsaan.htm

Air Force Times, March 3, 2012
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/03/air-force-john-loftis-remembered-for-reaching-out-to-afghans-030312w/

Air Force Military News, February 26, 2012
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123291469#.T0rFlx3qGgc.facebook