Published: November 28, 2009 11:24 pm      

Award honors fallen soldier

A scholarship has been established to honor the memory of a Southmont native who was killed in Iraq.

The Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Richard Buchan Memorial Scholarship will annually benefit a senior graduating from Westmont Hilltop High School.

The fund will be managed by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in downtown Johnstown.

Buchan was a 1991 Westmont Hilltop graduate and a standout athlete in his high school days.

He was killed in Ta’meem, Iraq, on July 1, 2007.

Officials said insurgents fired on Buchan’s Army unit. He was serving with 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Buchan, 33, had been serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.

He is survived by his parents, Richard and Carol Jean Buchan; a brother, Philip; his wife, Laura; and two sons, Hayden and Andrew.

The scholarship will be available to a Westmont senior who plans to attend “an accredited post-secondary educational institution, including college, trade school or vocational school,” Community Foundation administrators said.

Mike Kane, the foundation’s executive director, said no dollar amount has been set at this point.

“Often, funds like this can, over time, become significant enough to provide scholarships anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars,” Kane said.

Contributions to the Buchan scholarship can be sent to the foundation at 116 Market St., Suite 4, Johnstown Pa. 15901.

Checks should be made payable to “The Community Foundation.”

Donations also can be offered online at www.cfalleghenies.org.