Kaulig Company Championship, nonprofit honors families that made the 'ultimate sacrifice'

Waterville native Tiffany Eckert married Army Sgt. Andy Eckert when she was 21 years old. Soon, he was off to his first tour in Iraq.

During that time, Tiffany had their daughter Marlee, who Andy did not get to meet until she was 11 months old.

Andy came home a Purple Heart veteran in 2004, nearly killed in combat and deemed non-deployable due to health issues, meaning he could stay in the Army but did not have to serve again.

When his home unit became activated a few months later, Andy wanted to go, and with Tiffany's blessing, he fought again in Iraq.

The sergeant died three weeks after he left in May 2005, leaving 23-year-old Tiffany with a 22-month-old and a 1-month-old.

With the help of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to military and first-responder families, Tiffany said she and her children have found the support they needed after their world completely changed.

The nonprofit recently awarded the family a $5,000 scholarship, a gift she discussed Friday at the Kaulig Companies Championship golf tournament's Military Appreciation Day in Akron.

"It's a reminder that people haven't forgotten the sacrifice and first responders like Andy," said Eckert, who has worked with Folds of Honor for 10 years. "It's hard when you're a single parent. I was young, which was one branch of it. Then I was struggling financially, which is the second branch, and then just trying to figure yourself out while also raising children. It gave me peace of mind, kind of like an extension of hope."

The Kaulig Companies Championship, partnering with Folds of Honor, gave out 13 $5,000 scholarships to dependents and spouses of fallen or disabled soldiers or first responders this year. Recipients can use the money toward private K-12 education, tutoring services, higher education, and graduate and trade programs.

Eckert said Folds of Honor has helped her as she pursues a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green, a goal Andy always had for her. The nonprofit, which is funded through donations, has also provided her son with tutoring services and both her children with private schooling.

"Statistically, I was doomed from the start," Eckert said. "I had a rough upbringing, I lost my husband young, the war robbed everything from us. But here I am standing before you today − a testament that as long as you continue to keep going, anything is possible."

The Eckerts' son Myles made headlines in 2014 when he found a $20 bill on the ground outside a restaurant in Toledo. Instead of pocketing the cash, the 9-year-old saw a man in uniform, who Eckert said reminded him of Andy, and he gave him the money with a note.

His act of kindness prompted national stories, which set off a flurry of people sending the Eckerts $20. The Eckerts wound up donating that money, helping raise nearly $2 million for various charities that help kids who have lost a parent to war.

Myles was given the Citizen Honors Award through the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2016.

Last year, Folds of Honor awarded over $43 million in scholarships, said Don Padgett, executive director of the Kaulig Companies Championship. The tournament, which brings in top PGA golfers 50 and older to Firestone Country Club in Akron, wanted to partner with the nonprofit to show support.

"[Tiffany Eckert's story] made me think about how grateful we are for all that people do to make the United States a great country," Padgett said at the Folds of Honor Friday morning event. "It's really important to take care of the families that made the ultimate sacrifice. It's the least we can do for all that they've done for the country."

Veterans in attendance were also honored before and during the playing of the National Anthem, which was performed by The University of Akron band. The 13th hole at Firestone also featured a military tribute. North Carolina country artist Kameron Marlowe played later that afternoon at the tournament's military appreciation concert.

Eckert said the scholarship and support of military and first responder families makes a large impact.

"Sorrow runs long; throughout time, it gets better because your heart starts to repair itself, and you get it put back together − sort of," Eckert said. "People like you and the support we have received from Folds of Honor bridge the gap for our family between heaven and earth. You have made all the difference for us."

Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kaulig Company Championship, nonprofit honors families that made the 'ultimate sacrifice'