SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's and women's golf teams are participating in the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, which recognizes the sacrifice of our nation's military heroes.

The Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program (FHMTP) provides the opportunity for collegiate golf programs to honor a fallen or severely wounded American soldier by having a team member carry a golf bag displaying their name, rank and branch of service of the solider being honored during the school year. The golf programs will make their best effort to raise funds for the bag with the proceeds benefiting the Folds of Honor (FOH).

The Cougars are honoring Marine Major James M. Weis and Marine Captain Warren A. Frank.

Weis, 37, of Toms River, N.J., died July 22, 2010 in Trek Nawa, Afghanistan while supporting combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died Nov. 25, 2008, north of Baghdad while participating in a humanitarian food distribution mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Funds raised will go to the military families of those who have been killed or disabled while in active duty. These help support private education tuition, tutoring and educational summer camps for children k-12, as well as higher education tuition assistance for spouses and children.

"It is truly an honor to be able to recognize these Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for protecting our country," said CSUSM head golf coach Greg Hutton. "It's important that we do what we can to support their families."

The student-athlete who gets to carry the commemorative bag for each tournament is decided on the week before the tournament during team qualifying. The player with the lowest score during team qualifying receives the honor of carrying the commemorative golf bag for the next week's tournament.

Members of the golf team will be tabling on weekends at local golf courses, soliciting donations for the Folds of Honor program. To donate to the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, please contact head coach Greg Hutton directly at ghutton@csusm.edu.

Frank is survived by his wife, Allison, and daughters Sophia Lynn and Isabella Grace. His daughters are both Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients. A 2004 graduate of The Citadel, he had completed at least three tours in Iraq and looked forward to teaching high school history and coaching track upon retiring from the service.

A Rutgers University graduate, Weis was part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and was on his third tour of duty when he was killed while providing air support for troops who were surrounded on the ground. He was a highly-decorated and 16-year Marine Corp veteran, and was hoping to be promoted to lieutenant colonel and become a commanding officer after returning from his deployment. He is survived by his wife, Mae, and his two young sons, both of whom are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.

For more information on Folds of Honor, click here.