Happy 2nd Birthday Jimmy!

Katherine Cathey was 5 months pregnant when her husband James was killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq on August 21, 2005. On her son's first birthday, United States Marine Colonel Steve Beck presents Jimmy Cathey with the Scholarship of Honor medal in honor of
his Dad, USMC 2nd Lt. James Cathey.

The inscription to little Jimmy on the back of the medal reads: Your selfless service, heroic deeds and love for your Marines will never be forgotten. From this day forward, the manner by which you lived your life, with enthusiasm, with vigor, and with an energy rarely witnessed, will forever stand as an inspiration to those who take on the noble challenge of serving their fellow man. “Happy 1st Birthday Jimmy, your daddy is watching over you.” 22 December 2006

The James Cathey Scholarship of Honor was established at Reno High School and first presented in 2007. Thanks to the Remembering the Brave Foundation, this will be a perpetual tribute to James. Maybe one day James' son, will present this scholarship in honor of his Dad...what a great honor that would be!

Dad had the chance to meet Katherine at the Medal of Honor Patriot Dinner in Denver this past September where she was recognized as a Gold Star family.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jimmy, your daddy continues to watch over you.

Col. Steve Beck and Jimmy Photo by: Judy DeHaas, Rocky Mountain News
Katherine Cathey with Doug LaViolette

Scholarships presented in Nidzica, Poland

Thanks to our sponsors, 7 students received a life-changing scholarship in Nidzica, Poland on September 26, 2008. The Casey Cuene family, the Robert Nueske Family, Dr. Michael and Susan Smullen and the Weyers Family Foundation, along with the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation make this possible annually. Brian’s Foundation has worked with Nidzica Community Foundation in Poland since 2003.

Each scholarship recipient is awarded $500, along with a specially designed engraved Scholarship of Honor Medal. The inscription on the back includes the name of the recipient along with the saying:

With commitment your strength will endure
With compassion you’ll share understanding
And through knowledge, the world will be a more peaceful place.

The pure white ribbon holds the medal close to your heart, signifying our common bond, the international symbol of peace.

The photo features our 2008 Scholarship recipients (left to right): Andrzej Zawieska (Nidzica Community Foundation), Grzegorz Bruzdziak, Jakub Piasecki, Mr Tadeusz Hinc (Community businessman), Jakub Siedlecki, Bartosz Karla, Joanna Pfajfer and Ewelina Stepien. Anna Moszczynska (photo on left) also received the scholarship at an earlier date.

"First Tee" Scholarship Recipient Heads for College

Five years ago, Brian Summerfield, received our $1000 First Tee Scholarship at the Brian LaViolette Leadership Camp. Brian's Foundation partnered with the Golf Foundation of Wisconsin (GFW) in 2001 . The GFW provided children across the state with affordable and accessible facilities to have the opportunity to learn not only about golf, but also about the values the game promotes such as integrity, patience, honesty, self-confidence and leadership. The Camp was created to mirror the ideals of excellence, hope and perseverance that Brian held dear.

Brian Summerfield received the scholarship when he was 14 years old and is now heading to the University of Milwaukee.

Scholarship Helps Aviation Student Soar

Wesley “Rhett” Kicklighter grew up in Georgia, looking to the skies. The accomplishment that he is most proud of is obtaining his Private Pilot’s license. And he has a lot of accomplishments to choose from. He worked his way through the ranks in Eagle Scouts and earned the God and Country Award, which allowed him to devote additional time for public service. Kicklighter was also involved in many other clubs and organizations.

It was that commitment to his community and country that earned him another honor during the EAA AirVenture Convention the last week in July in Oshkosh. Kicklighter was selected to receive the fifth annual Thomas J. Hudner Scholarship of Honor. Hudner was a fighter pilot in the Korean War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery of his actions on December 4, 1950.

“I am honored to be awarded this scholarship. Thomas Hudner is a devoted, compassionate man and his actions were very commendable. My goal is to learn from the actions of people like him, continue my education and to strive to be a leader in my community.” Kicklighter stated.

Kicklighter is putting the scholarship money to good use as he attends Georgia Tech University this fall as an Aeronautical Engineering major. But his ambition and his desire to give back doesn’t stop there.

Upon graduation he plans to continue his education at Graduate school and has set a goal to obtain his Certified Flight Instructor rating. After college he will enlist in the National Guard.

“Rhett was chosen for his commitment to his country and community, the same qualities that Tom possesses,” said Kim LaViolette, Executive Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation who created and endowed the scholarship.

Photo: Scholarship recipient, Rhett Kicklighter with mother, JoEllen Gantt (left) along with Doug and Renee LaViolette at the First Wing Dinner and scholarship presentation at EAA’s AirVenture on July 29, 2008

The Journey Collection

Touching lives with The Journey Collection - Handcrafted Wood Frames

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is teaming up with the artistic creators of Sugarboo Designs out of Roswell, Georgia to unveil The Journey Collection-a collection of Sugarboo customized wood frames for those treasured photos that inspire you. The collection features the foundation’s trademark… “The Journey is the Reward" and a famous quote from Ronald Reagan.

The handmade, hand-painted, wood photo box is a piece of art in itself, that is only waiting for a special 4” x 4” keepsake photograph to make it truly unique.

The first “The Journey is the Reward” photo box was presented to Tonight Show host Jay Leno on the set of his comedy program in Burbank, California on February 8, 2008. Jay was chosen for his compassion toward the foundation early on when he endorsed the book, by the same name, written by Brian’s parents Doug and Renee and sister Kim, about the struggles in losing a loved one. Jay being an avid car collector with over 200 automobiles, was presented this specially designed photo box including a picture of a young Mr. Leno with his first new car, a 1965 Buick.

Rebecca Puig, owner of Sugarboo Designs with her husband, Rick on why she decided to support Brian’s Foundation, “I read the book and I was very inspired by the story of how a family and community came together and turned something so heart wrenching into something beautiful... I am honored to work with people that bring so much hope into the world.”

This collection by Sugarboo Designs is currently available through The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. The 20” x 20” frame costs $250 + $15 shipping. The 10” x 20” frame costs $100. The frame will also be given as a gift to donors contributing $1000 or more to Brian’s Foundation mission: honor hard work, community service, offer inspiration and share the belief that “The Journey is the Reward. The Journey Collection will be available at the only two location in DePere where Sugarboo Design frames are sold, Hey Daisy and Kim Klein Photography, both in DePere, Wisconsin.

For more information, please call Kim LaViolette at 828-242-3790.