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Memorial Golf Tournament Honors Fallen Pilot, Raises Scholarship Money

A golf outing, an awards banquet and a letter from a former president made for an exciting evening at Lindenwood Golf Course.

Saturday, at Lindenwood Golf Course, golfers gathered to raise money for the Lt. Terrence Mulkeen Memorial Scholarship Award, a fund for a distinguished high school athlete from Mt. Lebanon High School.

The award is named after Lt. Terrence “Terry” Mulkeen, a fighter pilot and avid golfer who died in a training incident in 1991 at the age of 32.

Each year, for the last 20 years, friends and family unite to create the scholarship award—a $6,000 prize given to an outstanding athlete/student at Mt. Lebanon High School.

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This year's scholarship was awarded to high school senior Aubrey Champagne in May.

After a scorcher on the links, the golfers adjourned to the clubhouse for cocktails and an awards banquet. Lt. Mulkeen's nephews sold raffle tickets for a large array of items, including Titleist golf balls; Top-Flite golf balls; hats; DVD copies of “The Chief;” four tickets to a Pirates/Cubs game slated for August; cigars; an American flag; and a Bosch Coffee Maker, among other prizes.

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Prizes were awarded for the winning foursome: Mike Mulkeen, Chris Kassigkeit, Kathy Joseph and Doc Aggers picked up the trophy for finishing 11 under par.

There was a prize for longest drive (women), awarded to Amy Harrison, and longest drive (men) went to Todd Schweitzer. Closest to the pin was awarded to Brian Fajt, and the longest putt award went to Dave Smith.

After the awards were distributed, local artist, and grade school friend of Lt. Mulkeen’s, Johno Prascak, read a letter from George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st U.S. president.

The letter had fond words of encouragement for the golfers. He praised Lt. Mulkeen for his service to America. The former executive and chief hoped for a successful golf outing, and wished for plenty of birdies and eagles.

Prascak donated two prints, “Pittsburgh Daylight” and “The Chief,” to the event. “Pittsburgh Daylight,” is a view of the city from Mt. Washington, and “The Chief” is a portrait of Steelers' founding father Art Rooney.

Terry's mother Cecilia "Dutchie" Mulkeen commented on the day.

“It’s such a wonderful event," she said. "It brings together family and friends, people who loved Terry. He would be so embarrassed by all the fuss. He didn’t like a lot of attention, but he would be grateful and happy that we do this every year.”

Niece of the fallen pilot Cara Toman reflected on time spent with him.

“When I was little my family went to Key West to visit him," she said. "I don’t remember much because I was about four years old, but I have a picture of me on his shoulders in front of his fighter jet. He was so proud to be a pilot.”

Many of Mulkeen’s pilot friends came from all over the country—the farthest from Portland, Ore.

Friend Dave Taylor said, “Ask anyone about Mulks and they would have told you they were his best friend. He treated everyone like they were his best friend. I will never forget him.”

When asked about the distance traveled to attend, Steve “Jekyll” Heid said, “If you ask me this story is about community. It’s about the people who came together in his name, grade school friends, his high school buddies, etc. This is a testament to the values of this community. Who wouldn’t want to come here every year and support this?”

For more information about the Lt. Terrence Mulkeen Memorial Scholarship Award, click here.

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