How Brett Favre introduced me to Brian LaViolette, by Mark leland

"The year was 1999, and Packers Quarterback Brett Favre was opening a restaurant bearing his name not far from Lambeau Field. Favre would be there for an event to kick off the opening. His name was certainly a draw for many guests that night in March.

The big event that night was not just the opening of the restaurant, but a fundraiser for a local scholarship fund. Little did I realize at the time that Favre would be the one ultimately to introduce me to the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation.

At the time I was anchoring the news at WGBA-TV and went by in between broadcasts to cover the event. My visit was short, but what I remember clearly is Favre making an appearance and playing drums with a band front and center in the crowded room.

Other than running into Favre in the back hallway of the restaurant it was not unlike numerous other events I've covered. Keep in mind at the time he was already a Super Bowl winning, MVP, NFL quarterback. And even though I had, at that point, interviewed Favre on at least three other occasions over the years for sports related stories, it was still a thrill.

Fast forward three years when I met with Doug LaViolette. I was impressed with how far the foundation had come in a relatively short period of time. I told Doug I'd be thrilled to help.

It started with The Business News articles, then working on foundation brochures, newsletters, correspondence to potential supporters. We shared a lot of ideas.

The foundation's work gave me the opportunity to be on the forefront of news making events. While in my current job at WLUK-TV, I traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to interview Medal of Honor recipient Sal Guinta and the awarding of the inaugural Sal Guinta Scholarship of Honor through the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. There was a trip to Long Beach, California to celebrate the USS Green Bay being put into service. And we traveled to Pilsen, Czech Republic in 2013 for the city's annual Liberation Festival celebrating American World War II veterans and their role in granting them freedom. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation presents a scholarship award during the festival, sponsored by friends of the foundation and by the grandson of General George S. Patton.

Brian's foundation, under Doug's leadership, the watchful eye of his wife Renee, and managed day-to-day by Brian's sister Kim for over two and a half decades, continues to find new connections to people and places. It continues to change lives and encourage people to make their world a better place. It's why the foundation's motto-"The Journey is the Reward" is so fitting. The saying was one Brian had in his room.

When Doug LaViolette asked me to be a part of the Foundation, I had no idea where the journey would take me. I wasn't looking to get anything out of it, I was more focused on how I could help. And that as I discovered has truly made the journey, the reward.

And to think, it all started with Brett Favre.

Internationally renowned photographer is inspired by Brian’s story

Photographer Nick Del Calzo travels the country. His photography tells personal, deeply emotional stories.

Nick started as a journalist and moved to public relations yet he felt unfulfilled until he picked up a camera . He has photographed Holocaust survivors and Medal of Honor recipients. Last week, Nick photographed Doug LaViolette as part of his portraits of people who inspire and impact him.

"I'm thrilled to have that opportunity to do it as a gift for them for what they've helped me do," says Nick.

Nick DelCalzo

Doug LaViolette is the President of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. In 1992, Brian died in a swimming accident when he was 15-years old. His family made it their mission to honor Brian's life by helping others succeed.

“When I receive the phone call from Nick DelCalzo a couple of months back that he wanted to photograph me I was stunned.  I believe I actually laughed out loud and said  “why me of all people?”  After Nick explained more details that he is creating a series of portraits of individuals who have made an impact on his life I was clearly moved. 

It was such a humbling experience to be included in the company of the extraordinary people whom he has photographed.  Nick did not disappoint with his attention to detail, thoughtfulness and incredible care in creating my portrait.  It was wonderful because it gave us a chance to have a lot of quiet time together, something we’ve really never experienced in the decade and a half since I’ve known him.  

Please click on the link below for the full story by Sarah Thomsen that aired on WBAY-TV2 this past Friday.

Link to full story HERE

At Brian's funeral came a promise to accomplish great things in his name and memory. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has granted 892 scholarships to students.

These people receive these scholarships and ... did that impact that for a higher purpose? I don't know," says Doug. "But it is pretty amazing."

Doug is still emotional to talk about his son. However, Doug is smiling in his portrait. He's proud of what he's accomplished in Brian's name. He also holds a sculpture depicting the void a family feels when losing a child.

The ripple effect of these good deeds are felt far beyond the room. "It goes on and on and on. It really does," says Doug.

A seed is planted

We met Rose Scannell in 2005 after her son, Ben was killed in the War in Iraq.

Friends, family and the community came together to help establish the Ben Edinger Scholarship of Honor through Brian's Foundation at Green Bay West High School in 2005.

Rose has been involved with the scholarship process since the beginning.

Rose was asked what impact she feels Brian's Foundation has had...

"The Brian LaViolette Foundation has an impact that no one will really be able to quantify.

• There are people like me and my family.

• Then there are the recipients who have the ability to go to school.. that impacts that individual and every person that individual touches.

• Those individual involved in the Foundation, which are so many community members... They really care.

• But there is more. Those people at the awards night- just at West High School-every year and then multiple that by every school... I can't even imagine.

A seed is planted they have information they didn't have before. Their hearts are touched in a way that they weren't touched before and they take that

information and that feeling with them and there is no way to know where all those ripples and all those effects go, but they are all there and it is all so positive.

So that is what I see."

Learn more about Rose's experience about having a scholarship in her son, Ben's name in this 5 minute video.

“I was nervous at first”, update from 2018 scholarship recipient

Hello Doug, Renee, Kim and the rest of the Foundation!

Before the semester gets going too fast, I wanted to take a moment to share with you what’s going on in my life at the moment.  I am starting my second year at UW-Madison and as of last semester I have fully transitioned into the computer science major and I’m considering a double major in Political Science. I loved my computer classes last semester, so I think this will be a great fit. 

Bailey received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship in 2018. He is pictured here with his parents (left) and Doug and Renee LaViolette

It was a very difficult decision for me, but this summer I decided to stay and work in Madison.  I was nervous at first—most of my friends went back home to see their families and meet up with friends from high school.  However, it ended up working out!  I took another computer course, got promoted to student manager at the IT Help Desk where I work and I met so many new people here in Madison.  Not to mention, I experienced the fun the city has to offer in the warm weather, music at the terrace, walks by Lake Mendota and the Capitals Farmer’s Market to name a few.

Bailey with UW-Madison, Bucky Badger

Switching gears to this semester, I already love my professors from my first day of class yesterday.  For example, my philosophy professor started out class by playing an electric violin!  I also have been working with a couple friends from work to start a new IT service management company. 

Bailey with his sister and mom

I want to thank you all again for helping me to pursue my education here at UW-Madison.  I am so grateful that I am able to go to class every day and learn just a little more about the subjects I enjoy.  Thank you so much for everything you do! 

Sincerely,

Bailey Conradt, 2018 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Recipient

P.S. I hope you like the paper I am writing on’ it’s a gift from my girlfriend, Madeline, and she insists we use it for our eventual presidential run (she’d be president of course!)

Two Scholarships awarded in the country of Poland

Last weekend two scholars in Nidzica, Poland received the International Scholarship of Honor through Brian’s Foundation. Brian’s Foundation has been awarding scholarships in Poland for the last 17 years, awarding nearly 75 scholarships during that time.

The recipients are Natalia Roska who is studying Linguistics in business in her 2nd year at The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Karolina Idzikowska studying management and production engineering in her 2nd year at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

These scholarships are made possible by Darelne Nueske and Dr. Mike and Sue Smullen.

Pictured here are: Bozena Szczypinska - Vice President of the Associated Bank in Nidzica, Barba Margol - President of the Nidzica Community Foundation, Justyna Kowalczyk - Board Member of the NIDA Foundation, Natalia Roska, Karlina Idzikowska, and Pawel Przybylek - vice Governor of Nidzica County.

Location where scholarships are available through Brian's Foundation

The Brian LaViolette Foundation awards 55 scholarships annually. To find out what schools they are available and who they honor, please click the map or link below. You can find more details on each one through our website.

http://www.briansjourney.com/scholorship-locations

Jim Rivett's Spirit lives on

Before the untimely death of community leader Jim Rivett last August, Brian's Foundation was working on a time we could award him the Brian LaViolette Spirit Award. We had the opportunity yesterday as we remembered Jim and celebrated his life in presenting the Spirit Award in Jim's honor to his husband, Pete. The moving ceremony took place at Jim's business, KHROME, with his team of co-workers, family and Pete's dog, Jimmy.

Jim Rivett, photo by Frievalt Photography

Without realizing it, chances are you have probably seen Jim and his teams' work. From the creation of Brian's logo over 25 years ago, Jim and his team, including Gregg Schneider, continually guided us to keep brand standards and develop unique ways to share Brian's story and the Foundation-from the schools, scholarship recipients, their parents, donors, the community and those interested worldwide. Their work for the Foundation has been in the hands of thousands and thousands of lives throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond.

Pete with Jim's sister, Jean

As many in the community, we miss Jim dearly. He will forever remain in our hearts and we are grateful to his dedicated team, now a part of Elevate 97, who also have big hearts and passion to make a difference in our community.

Gregg Schneider with the newest member of the KHROME team, Jimmy.

Since 2011 the Brian LaViolette Spirit Award has served as a recognition for a select group of individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment and extraordinary compassion. The recipients selflessly give of themselves to improve their community and to Brian's Foundation.

You can find more on the award and past recipients here: www.briansjourney.com/spirit-award

“After receiving this scholarship, I know that every morning I need to represent this scholarship with kindness, compassion, and love for those around me as both Ken Hess and those who surrounded him would have done.

I feel a pull to be the best version of myself in honor of this scholarship. I hope to be a better person each day because of this.”

Madison Wommack, 2019 Ken Hess Scholarship of Honor, Asheville NC. Madison will be attending University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill to pursue a degree in medicine.

Congratulations to Cadet First Lieutenant Matthew Niemi for receiving the 2019 Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor

Please help us congratulate Civil Air Patrol Cadet Matthew Niemi and wish him well as he departed on June 18th to the United States Air Force.  He is attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.

“As a young child, I lived in a foreign country and experienced first-hand what it is like not to have freedom. Being raised in a military household, taking advantage of what this great country has to offer, and realizing the amazing freedom this country has, it really makes me want to give back and uphold that freedom that is seen nowhere else in the world.

Protecting the people of the United States was my goal and now is a dream come true. I am excited to join the Armed Forces this year and see what opportunities it has in store. This scholarship will help with my future career in the Air Force. I am very thankful for the Brian LaViolette Foundation recognizing those going into public service sectors.”

Left to right: Lt Col. Stephen Kohler, David Konrath, Matthew Niemi, Doug LaViolette and Lt Col Robert Koehler, Northeast Group Commander, WI Wing CAP

The Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor is sponsored by David Konrath and awarded through the  Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol. 

“Matthew is such a deserving young man to receive the Thomas Hudner Scholarship of Honor and I know Tom is smiling down excited to see the next generation is in good hands.” – David Konrath, sponsor of the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor.

As a fighter pilot in the Korean War, Thomas Hudner routinely completed his missions by air. But in a dramatic rescue attempt of a fellow pilot, Hudner executed a wheels-up landing in enemy territory and found himself battling the elements on the ground. The snow and cold of December 1950 in North Korea found Hudner thinking not of himself or the enemy, but of one fellow Navy pilot, Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first African American aviator.

President Truman awarded Thomas Hudner the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 13, 1951 for his courageous actions.

Community Focus.

Doug LaViolette and Kim LaViolette Mosteller interviewed with Robert Hornacek of CW 14 Focus.  The show aired on Sunday, May 19th at 10:00am.  You can watch the interview here, CW14 Focus with Robert Hornacek

2019 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Recipient

Madelin Corrao describes herself in 150 characters as:

Principled, empathetic and humble. Loves to travel, experience life and my crazy dog.  Enjoys learning and eager to change my piece of the world.

Madelin received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship for $10,000 this week in a surprise visit during her interior design class at DePere High School.

Through the administrative help of Partners in Education, one student was selected from about 4,000 Seniors in the Green Bay district.  A student from each of the 17 schools applies.  The committee narrows it down to 5 and our family, along with April of Partners in Education interview the finalists.

During the interview, we instantly felt Madelin's compassion and empathy.  She is driven to help others and is focused to becoming a nurse practitioner.  She has taken a Certified Nursing Assistant course at Bellin College in mornings before school started.   Madelin would also like to become fluent in Spanish and complete her clincials in South America before coming back to the community as a nurse.

She is enrolled in honors college at UW-Oshkosh.

"The most important day of my life"

Brian on his confirmation day

Brian said the most important day of his life was his confirmation, May 17th, 1992.  In his confirmation journal he wrote: "Death and resurrection is a sacred, but happy event. There is life after death."

Brian's confirmation mentor said this about him: "I found out early on that Brian was no ordinary 15-year old... he formed very clear and mature ideas about his life and the world around him. He took the risk of being open, honest, and candid... His spiritual faith had the confidence of a 50-year-old, not the average 15-year-old.

On this day, we reflect on Brian and the confidence you have in his Foundation.

Festival remembers sacrifices of American Soldiers decades later

By George Patton Waters, grandson of Gen. George S. Patton

Have you ever wondered if the American soldier will be remembered for their sacrifices decades from now? I believe we’ve found the answer in a small town in the Czech Republic. 

For almost 30 years, the city of Pilsen has been honoring the American soldiers of World War II for giving them their freedom over seven decades ago.

Photo by City of Pilsen

On May 6, 1945, General George S. Patton‘s Third Army liberated the city of Pilsen from the Nazi strong hold. Sadly, Pilsen’s freedom was short-lived when in 1948 the Russians not only took control of the city, but began erasing all of the history and heroics of the American Army. In 1968, the Soviet Union and its allies had a full scale invasion with a mission to eradicate the remaining freedom of all Czech citizens.

That sad chapter in Czech history all changed in 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell as did communism.

Since 1990, the city of Pilsen has celebrated their freedom with an annual Liberation Festival.

This year’s Liberation Festival takes place May 2-6, and you’re invited!

The citizens of Pilsen are so grateful to the American soldiers that they would like to invite all U.S. Army active-duty Soldiers and their families to attend this heartwarming tribute.

Those who have attended past Liberation Festivals have said it has profoundly changed their lives and how they look at the sacrifice of the American soldier past and present.

What’s even more moving is how this small city continues to remember the American Soldier 74 years after America’s fighting men liberated their city. 

Highlights of the Pilsen Liberation Festival include:  

• The Convoy of Liberty with hundreds of actual World War II vehicles.

• A discussion with World War II veterans sharing stories with students and their parents.

• A number of public wreath laying ceremonies at monuments and memorials honoring and remembering the American Army. 

• Meet World War II reenactors who have re-created World War II camp sites in breathtaking details.

• Music for all ages. Live bands with music spanning decades.

• A genuine outpouring of love and appreciation for America.

For all the details, visit http://slavnostisvobody.cz/en/program/main-program/.

One of the special moments includes a scholarship presentation by the Brian LaViolette Foundation from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The General George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor is presented to honor General Patton and remember sacrifices of the American Soldier. It is awarded to a graduating Pilsen area high school senior who has chosen to enter the military or pursue a career in public safety or community service. In essence, a cause greater than self. 

Patton‘s grandson, George Patton Waters, a veteran himself, will be on hand on behalf of the Patton family along with other Americans who have traveled from the mainland to join in on this heartwarming celebration.

“We hope all our Soldiers serving in Bavaria and all of Europe can join us in Pilsen and in doing so, we too can honor their service as well,” said Waters.

2019 Scholarship presentation dates

"I am grateful you thought I was a worthy candidate of this scholarship.  I can't wait to start my journey of forever helping others."   --Kelly Whiting, 2018 Ray Zimmerman Scholarship recipient, Green Bay West High School

We are proud to announce our 2019 scholarship presentation dates...a time when 53 students feel worthy of what they are doing to make a difference in the lives of others.

At this time of year, and always, we want to thank the hundreds of donors and sponsors for making educational dreams come true!

Sal Giunta: JFK High School, Cedar Rapid, IA- April 22, 6:00 pm

Joel Gentz: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN- April 27, 5:00 pm   

Danny Dietz: Austin High School, Austin TX- May 2, 8:00 am

Danny Dietz: Heritage High School, Littleton, CO- May 3, 10:22 am

General George S. Patton: Pilsen, Czech Republic,- May 4, 6:30 pm

David Parmentier:  DePere High School, WI- May 7, 6:30 pm

Len Keller: Auburn High School, Rockford, IL- TBA

Kyle Hemauer: Chilton High School, WI-May 8, 7:00 pm

Matt Atkinson: Green Bay East High School, WI- May 13, 7:00 pm  

Brian LaViolette: TBD, May 14

Ron Sager: Fox Valley Lutheran High School, WI- May 15, 6:00pm 

Ollie and Helen Bogsted: Suring High School, WI- May 15, 2:00pm

"The Journey is the Reward": Suring High School, WI- May 15, 2:00pm

Ron Anderson: Suring High School- May 15, 2:00pm

NWTC Scholarship: Suring High School, WI- May 15, 2:00pm

Rachel Bosveld: Waupun High School, WI- May 15, 6:00 pm

Andrew Brownfield: North High School, Akron OH- May 17, 9:00 am

Thomas Hudner: Fox Valley Civil War Patrol- May 18th

Jerome Hatfield: Tunstall High School, Dry Fork VA-May 18, 8:45am

Riley Garbe: Freedom High School- May 19, 6:00pm

Ben Edinger: Green Bay West High School, WI- May 21, 5:30pm 

Ray Zimmerman: Green Bay West High School, WI- May 21, 5:30pm

Ken Hess: AC Reynolds High School, Asheville, NC- May 21, 6:00 pm

John Bradley: Appleton West High School, WI- May 22, 6:30pm

James Cathey: Reno High School, NV- May 22, 6:00 pm

Ken Kubsch: Manitowoc High School, WI- May 22, 7:00pm

Wendell and Shanna Ellsworth (2 scholarships): Belding High School, MI-May 22, 7:00 pm 

Nichole Frye: Lena High School, WI-May 22, 7:30 pm 

Ryan Jerabek: Pulaski High School, WI- May 22, 7:00 pm

Eric McColley: Gettysburg High School, PA-May 22, 7:00 pm

Victoria Parmentier Scholarship: Ashwaubenon High School, WI-May 22, 6:30

Brent Vroman: Omro High School, WI-May 22, 6:30 pm

Robert Foley: United States Military Academy, West Point NY- May 23rd

Isaiah Hunt: Bayport High School, WI- May 24, 9:00 am

Nueske Family (2 scholarships): Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, WI-   May 29, 7:00 pm  

Jesse Thiry: Luxemburg Casco High School, WI, May 29, 9:00 am 

Above and Beyond Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI-May 29, 6:30 pm 

Esther Cleveland Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 29, 6:30 pm  

Robert Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 29, 6:30 pm 

"The Journey is the Reward": Oconto High School, WI-May 29, 6:30 pm  

NWTC Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI- May 29, 6:30 pm 

Ken Stumpf, Elmer Burr: Menasha High School, WI-June 3, 9:00 am 

Mike Colalillo: Denfeld High School, MN- TBA, 6:30pm

Nainoa Hoe: 1Lt Nainoa K. Hoe Battle Command Training Center, Schofield Barracks, HI- August 28th

LEAP School Science and Math, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa-2019

Poland Scholarships: Nidzica Poland (2 scholarships)- September 2019

Bellin College Scholarship- Green Bay, WI- October 2019

St. Norbert Scholarships (2 scholarships): DePere, WI --October 2019

Junior Achievement- Business Challenge-Awarded February 2019

Second location of Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor announced

“This scholarship means commitment.  It means sacrifice, service and above all, honor.  I am beyond grateful for not only the monetary reward of this scholarship but  the honor it bestows.  It opens so many more opportunities to serve and it gives me the confidence and encouragement to continue on this path I am taking.  Even though it is different than Danny’s, I still will serve with his same heart and bravery.“

Kate Russell, 2018 Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor recipient

The Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor has been awarded at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado since 2007. This year, the Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor will be awarded at a 2nd location at Austin High School in TX. Students of both high schools can apply online at: http://www.briansjourney.com/scholarships-of-honor/application.

In 1999, Danny graduated from Heritage High School and joined the Navy three months later. While in high school, he played football his senior year and was active in weight lifting and swimming. Danny had two weeks of service left in Afghanistan when he was killed on June 28, 2005. Danny was posthumously awarded one of our nation's highest honors for heroism, the Navy Cross. Danny's widow, Maria, said he was not only her friend and role model, but her hero. He is a true hero to so many.

The Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor is made possible by the Mader family and the family and friends of the Dietz Family.

Happy Birthday Brian!

This photo was taken 40 years ago and Brian has been driving us to do good ever since.

Today would have been his 42nd birthday and we are forever grateful for the life he shared with us on earth and the spirit he has instilled in many through the Foundation.

Thank you all for coming along for the ride!

Scholarship recipient now in Medical School

2013 Brian LaViolette Scholarship recipient, Luke Buttke updates us on his first semester of Medical School..

“I was accepted to Saint Louis University for medical school and have just finished my first semester there! I feel like I fit in very well with the mission of the school which is to put humanism in medicine and focus on the patient and their needs. I’ve made a great group of friends that push each other to be as successful as we can and also take an edge off of the stress that comes with being in medical school.

So far I’ve completed statistics, cellular and molecular biology, anatomy, immunology, and am halfway through intro to pharmacology. They have all went really well and it’s been wonderful to begin my journey to becoming a physician. I am currently leaning towards pursuing a residency in emergency medicine, but am keeping my mind open until I go through all of my clinical rotations during my third year.

Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

Luke with his parents at his white coat ceremy

Remember Me

I was told there was a tradition during World War II that when soldiers went off to war, some gave handkerchiefs to the special people in their lives with a poignant embroidered message...Remember Me.  

We’re not sure if our dear friend, Reuben Schaetzel, ever gave one to someone he loved, but we do know he will be remembered. 

I met Reuben through our friend, John Maino at a Heritage Hill Veterans event in Green Bay that John was hosting.  Reuben was sharing his colorful stories with the audience, lifted right from the pages of John’s book, “Frontlines”.  They revolved around Reuben driving a M4 Sherman Tank under General George S. Patton’s Third Army and ending his service during World War II in a small town called Pilsen in the Czech Republic that his unit helped liberate.  

Click!  That was the connection, if we really needed something to bring us together. For those of you who knew Reuben he was magnetic, for those of you who didn’t, it’s a shame because he brought so much joy to everyone he met. That included the 17,000 people that bought a car from him over his 60+ year career as an automobile salesman.  He felt the pinnacle of his storied career was selling General Patton’s grandson, Pat Waters, a new Chevy Equinox in 2017.  At 94 years old he was selling cars every day at Buss Chevrolet in Shawano.

Thanks to Mark Leland and WLUK Fox 11, the documentary “Return to Pilsen, Sharing An American Story” aired back in 2013.  Because of that documentary, Kathy and Lee Anderson came into our lives and ultimately into Reuben’s.  

The Brian LaViolette Foundation spearheaded the making of the documentary which was premiered at an event on 11.12.13 featuring the Preble Choir.

Because of the Anderson's kindness, Reuben went to Pilsen twice during their annual Liberation Festival and was honored and adored by hundreds of citizens of the Czech Republic.

Reuben with Lee and Kathy Anderson and Stanley Bartl during the Pilsen Liberation Festival

It was on those Pilsen trips that Reuben became a very close friend of General Patton‘s grandson, Pat Waters. It was a friendship both men cherished.

Last week, God decided he needed a new best friend by his side and Reuben's last full day on earth was Christmas Day.  That seems fitting as well, an Angel being called home that night, the day after the most hallowed day on earth.

After Reuben’s first Pilsen trip he mentioned to his daughters, Gail and Lee Ann that if he died now he would die a happy man but for us it’s so sad to see him leave us. 

Tomas Hataj received the 2016 General George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor in Pilsen. He was honored to meet Reuben during the reception.

Rest in peace Reuben, you will be missed, but you will be celebrated and remembered forever by those you left behind.

Your friend, 

Doug LaViolette

Because of you, in 2018...

• 57 students received a scholarship that inspired and financially supported them.

• Those 57 students joined  781 others who have received scholarships before them for a total of 838 scholarships to date and counting.

• 78% of the scholarships awarded through Brian's Foundation were presented in honor of someone other than Brian, allowing their spirit to live on. 

• The total scholarship dollar awarded to date increased to $727,720.

You truly are investing in your community and our future leaders.  Thank you.

As a contributor to the Brian LaViolette Foundation, you become a major part of the life-changing inspiration to individuals throughout the world.  We promise you, that with your help, Brian's Foundation will continue to be a source of inspiration as we invest in leaders who continue to make this world a better place.

Please consider Brian's Foundation in your year-end contributions

Remembering an American hero on Christmas Eve

We were humbled to receive a donation that took our breath away in honor of a true American hero and the wife who stood beside him for over 55 years.

Carl and Helen Kratzer

Bruce and Carol Valk have supported Brian's Foundation for more than a decade as Bruce also serves on Brian's Foundation Advisory Board.  When it came time for their year-end planning, they decided to donate in honor of Carol's parents, Carl and Helen Kratzer.

Carl was a true American hero having served as a decorated Bombardier in World War II.  It is hard not to be inspired by the heroic actions of Carl Kratzer who served with the 8th Air Force on 30 bombing missions over Europe. 

On one mission to Cologne, Germany, 1st Lieutenant, Carl Kratzer recipient of two distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal along with the WWII Victory Medal his plane was so badly damaged it came down in Belgium but by the grace of God and his parachute training, his entire crew was saved.    

On another critical mission Carl single-handedly patched a landing gear hydraulic line that ultimately led him to being awarded his Second Distinguished Flying Cross. 

1st Lieutenant, Carl Kratzer recipient of two distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal along with the WWII Victory Medal

Carl and Helen met and fell in love after the War in Port Washington, Wisconsin where Carl had just opened a soda shop and confectionery business. Helen taught English at the local High School.    

On their wedding day in 1952

Carl sold the ice cream business and established Carl's Drive-In in Saukville, WI, which was a truck-stop and burger place.  They never guessed that single burger restaurant would grow to a chain of 22 Burger King's throughout Wisconsin, but it did.

Along the way they would have four loving children, Kris, Steve, Carol and Trina.  Their daughter Trina would be tragically lost to cancer later in life but the joy of their 11 grandchildren continually renewed their spirit.  

Carl and Helen Kratzer with their 11 grandkids

We are grateful to learn more about Carl, Helen and their family through Bruce and Carol.  It was not only humbling to receive this donation in honor of their loved ones but that they shared their inspirational story with us.

Bruce and Carol Valk with their daughter Sylvia and son Carl