BLACKSBURG, Va., Jan. 28, 2005 – Two Virginia Tech alumni who gave their lives in service to their nation will be honored as Virginia Tech announces the sale of a memorial item that will support scholarships established in their names.
The new licensed Hokie product — a distinctive car magnet — pays tribute to the legacies of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jeffrey Kaylor, of Clifton, Va., and Army 1st Lt. Timothy Price, of Midlothian, Va., both of whom were killed in action in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 respectively. All proceeds from sale of the magnets will benefit Emerging Leader Scholarship endowments previously established in memory of each of the fallen officers.
The scholarship campaign will be launched Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at the new Sayre Enterprises store at Kent Square in downtown Blacksburg when Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen, commandant of cadets at Virginia Tech, and R. Scott Sayre, president of Sayre Enterprises Inc., make the initial purchase of magnets honoring the two young lieutenants. The commemoration will continue later that day in a brief halftime ceremony at the Virginia Tech vs. University of Virginia basketball game. There, the two magnets purchased earlier by Sayre will be presented to Kaylor's widow and Price's father. Allen and Jim Weaver, Virginia Tech athletic director, also will participate.
"This new product exemplifies the spirit of Virginia Tech and the university's commitment to our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)," Allen said. "Most importantly, this tangible and highly visible symbol pays tribute to the selfless dedication to duty shown by Lieutenants Kaylor and Price, and honors their devotion to the cause of freedom by supporting and expanding the scholarships bearing their names."
The car magnet project is the result of a cooperative effort between Virginia Tech and Sayre Enterprises Inc., a Buena Vista, Va., manufacturer and distributor of licensed Hokie merchandise. Measuring 10.5 by 5.09 inches and selling for $12.95, the full-color magnet is in the form of a stylized version of the letters "VT." A field of white stars on a blue background fills the "V," and the words "Ut Prosim" and a symbolic yellow ribbon are overlaid on the maroon "T." The magnets will be sold at Sayre's retail stores and online at http://vt.universitysportwear.com. Direct links to the Sayre website also will be available from the Virginia Tech site (www.vt.edu), the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni site (www.vtcca.vt.edu), and the VT Alumni Association website (www.vatechalumni.com)
"As an Army veteran, I appreciate the sacrifices of all our service men and women," said R. Scott Sayre. "I welcome this opportunity to provide direct support in honor of these military heroes from Virginia Tech."
In addition to collegiate clothing items and memorabilia, Sayre Enterprises offers a range of products, including military/tactical items, safety accessories, and outdoor gear. The firm runs one of the largest embroidery plants in the U.S. and also has screen printing, engraving, sewing, and die-cut operations. Sayre is fully underwriting the contracting, production, and procurement of the initial lot of magnets in order to maximize the amount of funding devoted to the scholarships.
The magnets are available for immediate sale to the public.