News

Two families of fallen US and British military heroes were hosted by the Rangers Charity Foundation and Rangers Football Club for a visit last week as part of a programme supporting bereaved military families, culminating in the four children having the special opportunity to be team mascots at Ibrox for Armed Forces Day at Rangers v Hearts on Saturday 1 March.

MSgt Scott Blais is survived by his wife, Erin, and their twin daughters, Molly and Lillian while LNN Thomas Bovington is survived by his wife Vicky and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Isabelle.

The Foundation organised private museum and stadium tours followed by a dinner in the Blue Sky Lounge where the families were able to connect over their shared experiences.

The following day, the families were then hosted at the match where they had the opportunity to meet some of the players and all four girls walked out of the tunnel as mascots in a special moment pre-match.

It is the third time the Foundation has partnered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a US-based non-profit organisation providing compassionate care and resources for all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in the military. TAPS arranged for the US-based Blais family to visit the UK where they met the Bovington family, arranged via Families’ Activity Breaks (FAB), a partner charity to TAPS. With the support of the Club, the Foundation helped to provide a special experience for both families to celebrate their lost loved ones.

Jessica Harper, Director – Sports & Entertainment for TAPS commented:

“We are so grateful to Rangers for their continued support of TAPS and to be a Rangers Charity Foundation Armed Forces Fund beneficiary.”

“This support helps to create meaningful connections of hope, healing and care for military families from the US and the UK at Ibrox, while honoring their loved one’s life and service to country. And the warm welcome from Rangers fans has been amazing!

“We continue to be thankful for this partnership that is creating lasting, positive impacts on the military community and surviving families from both countries.”

Connal Cochrane, Chief Executive of the Rangers Charity Foundation said:

“Following successful previous visits, we were again privileged to welcome our friends from TAPS at Ibrox and help them create special and lasting memories.

“The Foundation has a long and proud history of supporting Armed Forces charities, personnel and veterans and this is another important way in which we have demonstrated this ongoing commitment.”

“It was also fitting that, along with the Club, we had our MOD Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award renewal presented on Saturday.”

Soldier Bios

MSgt Scott Blais United States Air Force August 18, 1973 – January 16, 2021

United States Air Force Master Sergeant Scott Blais was born on August 18, 1973, and raised in Massena, NY, just six miles from the Canadian border. Scott began his military service in 1992, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after graduating high school. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC and spent the next 12 years serving the needs of the Marine Corps across the country and around the world, including duty stations in Japan, Arizona, New York, and aboard the USS Belleau Wood.

In late 2003, Scott ended his service in the Marine Corps and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served as a C-5 flight engineer with the 337th Airlift Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, MA, until his death.

He served his nation during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, supported humanitarian missions, and participated in numerous joint agency operations.

On January 16, 2021, MSgt Scott Blais died unexpectedly at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii during a routine training mission.

MSgt Scott Blais received numerous awards and commendations for his service.

He had a deep passion for aviation. Golfing was another love of his—rain or shine, he sought to play wherever his travels took him. One of his goals in life was to play a round at St. Andrews.

MSgt Scott Blais is survived by his wife, Erin, and their twin daughters, Molly and Lillian. Scott was a devoted father to his daughters and a loving husband. Since his passing, Erin has paused her career and educational pursuits to focus on her daughters and dedicate time to advocating for surviving military families. Over the past two years, Erin has also worked to fulfil her late husband’s travel wishes for their family. Most recently they travelled to several parts of Europe, including Scotland, where Molly and Lilly were able to fulfil their father’s dream and played a round on the Balgove Course at St. Andrews while Erin, whose greatgrandparents lived in Stirlingshire, was able to learn more about her Scottish ancestry.

LNN Thomas Bovington British Royal Navy November 5, 1986 – September 9, 2016

British Royal Navy Leading Naval Nurse Thomas Bovington was born on November 5 1986, in Shoreham, East Sussex. From an early age Tom showed a keen interest in the Navy, joining the Newhaven Sea Cadets and then the Manchester University Royal Navy Unit whilst he studied at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Cheshire.

Later on, Tom made the decision to follow his passion further and trained to become a nurse with the Navy in Birmingham. He gained the award of National Sea Cadet Sailing Champion while sailing the Forth in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tom joined the Royal Navy in 2011 and completed basic training at HMS Raleigh before starting a three-year degree in Birmingham to become a naval nurse. After training in nursing homes and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, he moved with his family to Portsmouth. During his time in Portsmouth, LNN Bovington worked predominantly at the Queen Alexandra Hospital. He then made the decision to specialize as an ICU nurse.

LNN Bovington moved to Brighton to complete this training, but sadly, was unable to due to his sudden death. LNN Thomas Bovington passed away suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition on September 9, 2016. Due to his sudden death there was a genetic investigation that found Tom had an undiagnosed heart condition called ARVC (Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy). After his death, other members of the family were tested for the gene and condition.

LNN Bovington died on his father Michael’s, birthday. A few years later, on Tom’s birthday, Michael collapsed after attending a football match for his favourite team, Brighton. He survived only because he had an ICD (mini defibrillator) fitted after doctors discovered he too had ARVC. The family feel grateful every day to Tom for saving his father’s life. Tom wanted to become a nurse to help people, to give them the chance to have more time with their loved ones. Not only did he do this through his work, but he also did this through his death, and he is loved always for the moments he has gifted to the ones he loved the most. To date, Tom has helped save the lives of ten members of his family.

LNN Thomas Bovington is survived by his wife, Vicky and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Isabelle. Vicky makes sure that the girls spend time with family and friends who knew and loved Tom, as they too can share their memories to help build a full picture of who he was and the things he enjoyed.