Scholarship & Service

To his soldiers, he was "Command Sergeant Major Coates", to the many young people whose lives he touched along the way, he was "Mr. Coates", but to me, he was "daddy". An absolutely phenomenal man, who was an advocate for youth and always encouraged higher learning. This scholarship honors his legacy, and his life. It is a tribute to a superhero, who is gone to soon.

Part of the mission of the Alaina Coates FAAM Foundation is to pour back into the community. One of the ways in which we accomplish this mission is through our annual scholarship programs. The CSM Gary Coates, Sr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate scholarship and service through community involvement, volunteerism, scholastic achievement, and extra-curricular participation.​