Sgt. Ian Gelig

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce will present its first Sgt. Ian Gelig Memorial Scholarship during its quarterly luncheon Sept. 8 to Nicholas Flores, a student at College of the Canyons.

Flores, who served in the First Marine Division in Iraq, “exhibited the characteristics of a true patriot and the leadership, courage, and loyalty of Ian Gelig,” SCV Chamber officials said in a statement.

Sgt. Ian T.D. Gelig was a Stevenson Ranch resident and Army paratrooper who was killed in Afghanistan in March 2010. He was 25.

Flores, a 3.85-GPA student at COC, served in the Navy as a fleet Marine force corpsman and received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal while serving as an enlisted fleet Marine force warfare specialist.

He plans to transfer to UCLA in the fall of 2012 and pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science. Ultimately he intends to become a commissioned Navy officer and join the SEALs.

The chamber’s quarterly luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Valencia. For information about the Gelig Scholarship call the chamber at 661-702-6977. Applications for 2012 scholarships will be available in November.