Medal of Honor Convention was a success...thank you!!




Thank you to everyone that helped make the 2007 Medal of Honor Convention a success. 62 of the 109 living Medal of Honor Recipients were our guests in Green Bay from September 3-10th. They all arrived and departed safely and we had wonderful feedback from all the Recipients, their families, and other guests who were able to be a part of our community for a short time. They could not say enough about the hospitality of Green Bay...thanks to hundreds of volunteers and donors, they will have great memories of our city. The Recipients are not the only ones that have great memories-our local students and others in the community were able to share in the week.

Newspaper accounts of convention activities are available here.

South African Scholarship of Honor Presented


Our first International Scholarship of Honor in South Africa was presented on July 20th at the LEAP Science and Maths School! Principal, Tuksie Nkwinti (right) presented this honor to Thandisile Mfengu (middle) and we were told the students applauded with so much pride. John Gilmour (left) is the director of LEAP. To learn more about LEAP Science and Maths School, please visit: http://www.leapschool.org.za/about.q
This scholarship is sponsored by one of Kim's elementary teachers, Paul and Gloria Zimmerman.

First $10,000 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Awarded


On May 31st we presented our first $10,000 Brian LaViolette Scholarship through Partners in Education at the Youth Celebration. Brittany Van Remortal from Bayport High School received the award. It was a hard choice, but we know we made a great one. Brittany will be attending Wheaton College to major in German and Biology with a concentration in cellular research. Her goals for her career are to become a scientist and perform cellular and molecular research to find cures for prominent illnesses.

Medal of Honor Convention Dates Announced

The 2007 Medal of Honor Convention, which is spreadheaded by the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, will be held September 3rd-10th. All living Medal of Honor recipients will gather in Green Bay for the 2007 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention. The recipients’ annual gathering takes them to a different city each year. Phoenix in 2006,.last year—Boston. Next year—Denver. This year—Green Bay!

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for Valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual in the United States Armed Services. With the financial support of businesses and individuals from across Wisconsin and the Nation along with hundreds of volunteers, The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is leading this weeklong convention and will be inviting the Medal of Honor recipients during their visit to take part in public activities throughout the community from school appearances to a Green Bay Packers Game. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention is an opportunity for the public to learn more about our war heroes' incredible stories and come together in a community-wide effort to honor them. To learn more about the Convention, please see the link on our website: http://www.medalofhonorwi07.com/

James Cathey Scholarship of Honor Announced in Reno, NV



'Hope's Slow Return'

Slain Marine's Family, road back
shines in child’s eyes.

See this Rocky Mountain News cover story by
Jim Sheeler, February 23, 2007
Photo by: Judy DeHaas


Major Steve Beck traveled to Reno, NV. courtesy of Frontier Airlines, to present the Cathey Family with the medals that James never received. At this time, he also announced the James Cathey Scholarship of Honor and presented Jimmy with a special Scholarship of Honor Medal.

Please Check out the rest of the story at:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5372315,00.html It is very touching.

There is also a link below the picture of a beautiful slide show of pictures taken by Judy DeHaas of the presentation and announcement of the James Cathey Scholarship of Honor: Slide show: Remembering the Brave

New $10,000 College Scholarship, Available to Northeast Wisconsin Students


Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation and Partners in Education are excited to announce a new $10,000 college scholarship for 2007.

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship is designed to offer a student the inspiration to succeed and the financial backing to help make higher education possible.Open to all graduating seniors in the Partners in Education school districts, this $10,000 award will go a student who has shown exemplary achievement throughout his or her high school career. The total amount of the scholarship will be paid in equal installments over four years.

The criteria being evaluated will include academics, leadership and community involvement…aspects of life that were important to Brian while growing up and attending school in De Pere. The recipient will be a student who has a thirst for knowledge, the ability to be a team player, and the desire to be a future leader.

The announcement of the new Brian LaViolette Scholarship on this day, January 23, 2007, falls on what would have been Brian LaViolette’s 30th birthday. To mark the Foundation’s 15th year of giving, the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has consolidated several local scholarships to provide this one in Brian’s name, but the mission remains the same: “To honor hard work, community service, offer inspiration and share the belief that “The Journey is the Reward.”

Brats for Brian!



This is the ultimate tailgating! This is "Brats for Brian." I have gotten to know this group pretty well. They raise money for a scholarship in the name of Brian LaViolette. Brian was just 15 years old when his life was taken in a swimming accident. His family wrote a book about taking the good and healing from the pain. They went on to live it by creating a scholarship for other teens in their son's name. Brats for Brian is an extennsion of that love from friends and family. They are in the parking lot for each Packer game and sell delicious brats to continue the dream. They are awesome folks and I encourage you each to swing by and meet them. I posed as Santa with some of them in the picture attached. Check out their link on my "Links" page. This is the Wisconsin Spirit I love! www.cheeseheaduniversity.com/TAILGATING.html

Brian's Aunt Sue started Brats for Brian and is pictured with Board Member, Vicki Safford who has been a great supporter of the LaViolette Family.

Scholarship of Honor announced in Nevada and South Dakota

We are proud to announce that two more Scholarship of Honor awards in Reno, NV and Rapid City, SD. With the help of Major Beck, we have announced two more Scholarships to honor two young men, James Cathy and Joe Welke. Please take the time see the link below for a powerful photo essay feature both young men and Major Beck. The first photo won the Pulitzer prize last year.

The Final Salute: http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0604/finalsalute01.html

James Cathy, 24, Reno, NV

In 1998 James graduated from Reno High School in just three years. He went into the Marine Reserves at the age of 17, and worked hard at the University of Colorado to earn a BA in history and anthropology. He was husband to Katherine who was 4 months pregnant when James was killed in Iraq on August 21, 2005. Their son, Jimmy was born on December 22, 2005. He also leaves a loving daughter, Casey, who is now 9 years old. James was looking forward to getting back home to be with his wife and new baby.

Joe Welke, 20, Rapid City, SD

Joe graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School in 2003. While in high school, Joe played football for four years. His senior year he earned the Greater Dakota Conference All Conference and Honorable Mention All State. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, hunting, fishing, camping, weight lifting, and cars. Joe was proud to be a United States Marine. Joe’s football coach, Joel Hybertson stated, “If we need someone for our Country, I want someone like Joe Welke”. Joe’s plans of moving to Southern California were cut short when he was killed in Iraq on November 20, 2004.

John Bradley Remembered


John Bradley Remembered With
Scholarship of Honor

Gone, but not forgotten. The memory of John Bradley and his devotion to community and country will live on with a special scholarship being established in his name at Appleton West High School.

The John Bradley Scholarship of Honor will pay tribute to this brave and courageous man who served his country as a Navy Corpsman medic in World War II. Bradley received the prestigious Navy Cross for his bravery in saving lives at Iwo Jima. He was also one of six service members who raised the American flag on Iwo Jima in that famous photo seen around the world.

This scholarship has been made possible by Ron and Colleen Weyers of the Weyers Family Foundation. Thank you Weyers!

Check out the story from wfrv Channel 5: http://wfrv.com/local/local_story_292083656.html

1998 Scholarship Recipient...becoming a Doctor!



Mark Gaulke, a 1998 DePere High School graduate is currently in a combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residence at The Marshfield Clinic-St. Joseph’s Hospital Program in Marshfield, WI. Mark graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in May of this year. He got his Bachelor’s degree in Human biology with a health science emphasis at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2002.

During Med school he was able to experience a two-month course in Malawi and Zambia, South-central Africa. He worked with the Mwembezhi Lutheran Rural Health Center. “It was amazing,” Mark said. “The Lutheran Rural Health Center brought these two country together with both language and cultures.” Mark worked and observed at a 25-bed hospital, which he said was more like free clinic. “Next to the hospital was a preschool where all kids 6-8 years old. All of their father’s were dead. All have AIDS. All Mal-nutrition. The only green grass they see everyday is at that preschool.” His time in Africa was not only educational, but life changing.

Mark will spend two years in the Pediatrics Program and two years in Internal Medicine. After he become Board certified in 2010, he plans to stay in Primary care. “Ideally, in a rural area in Wisconsin.” What an exciting journey!

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is proud to have received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. 

This four-star rating designates Brian’s Foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.