Brian's Foundation has been awarding the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor for the past 19 years. We had the honor of knowing Tom and he will always have a special place in our hearts.
When the scholarship in his name was established in 2004, Tom was humbled and made his way to EAA a number of times to present the award.
On one occasion he met Jim Tobul, a fellow Corsair pilot. The two connected and had a mutual respect for each other. Jim went on to presented the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor that evening in 2012.
Tom Hudner with Scholarship of Honor recipient, Lucas Benish, in 2012 at EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.
Two years later, the Fox Valley Composite Squadron has taken over the leadership with Tom's Scholarship and its has been awarded to a Civil Air Patrol Cadet.
And that brings up too today. Jim and his wife Shelley did not realize that the Scholarship in honor of Tom was not endowed. They stepped up to do so.
Because of their support, the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor will live in perpetuity. In addition to Brian’s Foundation, David Konrath and Tom and Mary Hennessey have also contributed to help fund the Thomas Hudner Scholarship over the years.
More on Jim and Shelley Tobul...
An avid pilot for over 40 years, Jim takes great pride in carrying the legacy of the veteran Corsair to airshows all over North America. Shelley controls the music and narration while Jim is flying his routine at airshows.
Jim now performs at 18 or more airshows per year, bringing tears to the eyes of veterans and awakening the curiosity of upcoming generations to learn more about the fight for freedom waged by those who came before. He also is proud to participate in the U.S. Navy Legacy Flight program, in which he flies alongside a modern Navy F-18 Super Hornet fighter in a poignant display of military heritage and tribute.
He and Shelley lives in Jackson Hole, WY.
