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.
About the Virginia War Memorial
The mission of the Virginia War Memorial is to Honor Veterans, Preserve History, Educate Youth, and Inspire Patriotism in All. Dedicated in 1956, the Memorial includes the names of the nearly 12,000 Virginia heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terrorism. The Virginia War Memorial is and will always be the Commonwealth’s tribute to those who served and most especially, to those who died defending our freedoms.
The Virginia War Memorial is a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and serves as an integral part of its mission in support of all Virginians who have served in our military. It is located at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220 and is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free, except for select events. For more information, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org.
About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS)
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 50 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. DVS traces its history to 1928 and the establishment of the Virginia War Service Bureau to assist Virginia’s World War I veterans. Today, DVS assists veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; provides veterans and family members with linkages to services including behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The agency operates four long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehabilitation for veterans; and provides an honored final resting place for veterans and their families at three state veterans cemeteries. It operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.