Chief Master Sergeant William N. Kendall was a decorated 30-year-veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served seven combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, during which he took shrapnel in his hip that couldn’t be recovered and sustained a traumatic brain injury. Among his many medals was the Bronze Star, awarded for heroism in combat.
But CMSgt. Kendall was much more than a war hero and patriot. Back home in Las Vegas, he was also a devoted husband and father. He battled through his invisible injuries and severe post-traumatic stress disorder to provide love, guidance, and stability for his wife, Pamela, and their two sons. So, when he unexpectedly succumbed to his war wounds, fulfilling the ultimate sacrifice and dying in 2016, he left more than an honorable legacy — his passing also left a gaping hole in three lives.
“Losing the head of our family so suddenly left us in emotional and financial uncertainty,” says Pamela. “My oldest son, Christian, was a junior in high school at the time, and he feared college was not going to be part of his future.”
Then the Kendalls received a letter in the mail informing them that both of CMSgt. Kendall’s sons would receive scholarships to the college of their choice. The letter was from Folds of Honor.
Public pillars supporting the mission
Nevada nonprofit honors the legacy of fallen heroes by supporting their families with scholarships
By Monica vanover on june 6, 2025
SPONSORED BY palm mortuary
“Palm Mortuary has been an incredible partner and a consistent pillar of support for our local chapter,” says Pamela. “Their commitment goes beyond financial sponsorship — they’ve hosted ceremonies, offered in-kind donations, and truly embraced our mission as their own. Their presence adds a deep sense of dignity and reverence to our work in the community.”
Pamela and Christian have continued to honor CMSgt. Kendall’s legacy by co-founding the Nevada Chapter of Folds of Honor in 2023.
“The mission of Folds of Honor — providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders — resonated with me on a profoundly personal level,” says Pamela. “It’s not just about financial support; it’s about honoring sacrifice and creating opportunity. Knowing firsthand how transformative this support can be, I felt called to help carry that mission forward for other families.”
Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. The goal is to honor the sacrifice of the fallen by not only educating their legacy — but also providing a path for the future.
“The scholarship wasn’t just about tuition support — it was about giving us hope again,” says Pamela. “It helped Christian continue his education without shouldering the burden of student debt and gave us the stability to move forward while honoring Bill’s legacy.”
"The scholarship wasn’t just about tuition support — it was about giving us hope again"
The original Folds of Honor was founded in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot, who served three combat tours in Iraq. He had been returning from the second of those tours when he boarded a commercial flight that was carrying home the remains of a corporal who had lost his life in combat. After the captain asked all passengers to stay seated as the body was unloaded, Lt. Col. Rooney looked out his window onto the tarmac to see the fallen soldier’s family, including his four-year-old son, watched the American-flag-draped coffin inch down the cargo ramp.
“The finality of the sacrifice hit me,” says Lt. Col. Rooney. “This young boy would never play catch with his dad again. He would never be tucked in at night. And that term ‘Freedom isn’t free’ didn’t mean anything until I witnessed that.”
Since Lt. Col Rooney manifested that experience into Folds of Honor, the organization has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling over $290 million in all 50 states. Forty-five percent of students served are minorities, and the program has recently expanded to support the families of fallen or disabled first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and full-time EMTs and paramedics. The scholarships support everything from private school tuition in grades K-12, college, technical or trade school, and post-graduate work. Money for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are available as well.
The Nevada Chapter of Folds of Honor is the 33rd in the nation. And like all chapters, its lifeblood comes from the donors and corporate partners who make these scholarships possible. Ninety-one percent of every dollar raised goes into the scholarship program, enough to earn Folds of Honor a Four-star Rating, the highest given by Charity Navigator. But more than unilateral donations, these are continuing, mutually beneficial relationships between organizations that share a love of country and a concern for its fallen heroes and their survivors.
In Nevada, one of the most important partners is Palm Mortuary. The funeral home has been open since 1927, welcoming families of all backgrounds and beliefs. But with the area’s strong military presence, Palm Mortuary is drilled in military funeral honors and burial benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They also have vast experience with working with families of veterans and first responders.
"Their commitment goes beyond financial sponsorship — they’ve hosted ceremonies, offered in-kind donations, and truly embraced our mission as their own."
“A lifeline. A promise kept.”
With partners like Palm Mortuary, the Nevada Chapter of Folds of Honor is gradually building a legacy of its own one scholarship, one story — and one family — at a time.
“Las Vegas is home to many military and first-responder families, and while it's a city known for entertainment, there's a strong undercurrent of patriotism and community service,” says Pamela. “Folds of Honor fills a unique space here — connecting the energy of Las Vegas with a cause that grounds and unites us. From events at iconic venues to local school partnerships, we’ve found a way to blend purpose with passion.”
Pamela knows the long-term impact of Folds of Honor firsthand. It’s not just about helping families in their immediate time of grief and financial uncertainty; it’s about providing the foundation for a sound future, honoring what their family member sacrificed so much to protect. For instance, Christian used his scholarship to attend the University of Utah. He graduated and went on to build a career centered around service and storytelling — something he now does for a living as Regional Impact Officer for Folds of Honor, working full-time to give back to families like his.
“Over the years, I’ve seen so many families like mine given the same opportunity,” says Pamela. It’s more than a scholarship. It’s a lifeline. It’s a promise kept. Partnering with Folds of Honor means becoming part of something truly meaningful. It’s more than a cause — it’s a community of people who believe in service, education, and honoring legacies. It’s a partnership that offers both purpose and visibility, and one that leaves a lasting mark.”
If you would like to donate or your business into this partnership, go to nevada.foldsofhonor.org.
