Bellin College of Nusing Recipient, Amy Rader

Amy Rader of Green Bay, Wisconsin received this years' Brian LaViolette Scholarship at Bellin College last night at their Scholarship Salute Ceremony.

Amy graduated from Notre Dame High School and St. Norbert College and has recently returned to school after having 5 children.

Bellin College is dedicated to preparing health-care professionals by providing an intellectually stimulating environment focused on leadership, community service, and lifelong learning that promotes excellence in health-care practice and the advancement of the profession. Their celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.

Andrzej visits from Poland!

Andrzej Zawieska from the Nidzica Community Foundation in Poland was in Wisconsin last week and was able to spend time with a few of the important people to Brian's Foundation.

Here he is pictured with Bob Nueske (above) and Ron Weyers (bottom), two of our sponsors of our Poland Scholarships. He also serenaded them with his great accordion playing.

Andrzej is instrumental in coordinating our seven annual scholarships in Nidzica Poland. We couldn't do it without him!

Scholarship Recipient Following in his Family’s Footsteps and Local War Hero

Mikael Anthony Torres, a 2009 graduate of Waipahu High Schools in Oahu, Hawaii was awarded the 3rd annual Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor on August 28 at the 1Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe Battle Command Training Center located on Schofield Barracks.

It was a special day for many reasons, especially because it would have been Nainoa’s 32nd birthday. The scholarship honors the memory and service of 1Lt. Nainoa Hoe, of Maunawili, Oahu, who was leading a combat patrol in Mosul, Iraq when he was killed in action on January 22, 2005.

The scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman in the University of Hawaii’s Army ROTC “Warrior Battalion.” The Warrior Battalion ROTC program is singularly unique as it is authorized to display a “Campaign or Battle Ribbon” earned by the Cadets in Defense of Hawaii in WWII.

Mikael’s selection recognizes his scholastic abilities and JROTC leadership. The eldest child in a “Career Army Family” young Mikael learned at an early age the true meaning of “Duty, Honor, Country.”

Today’s Army Family presents many challenges, parents on deployment, multiple moves, attending different schools and adjusting to a life of uncertainty and stress. The motto “Army Strong” is meaningful only in conjunction with “Family Strong.” Mikael is a shining example of both.

This scholarship is made possible by Waimanalo businessman and Brian LaViolette Foundation Board member, Ohelo Kaopio.

Pictured here: Staff Sgt. Nakoa K. Hoe, brother of 1st Lt. Nainoa, Mr. Allen K. Hoe, Father of 1st LT. Nainoa Hoe, Mikael Torres, Sgt. Maj. Anthony Torres, and Sgt. 1stClass Jean J Torres, Father and Mother of Mikael Torres

2nd in the Seidler Family Receives Brian LaViolette Scholarship at NWTC

Suring High School graduate, Will Seidler received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) this past week. Will plans to study Manufacturing Engineering Technology at NWTC. His brother, Paul received the scholarship in 2007 and studied in the Diesel Mechanic Associate Program.

Pictured left to right: Mrs. Seidler, Paul (Will’s brother, who received the scholarship in 2007) Mr. Seidler, Will, Renee and Doug LaViolette

Medal of Honor Recipient, John Finn turns 100

Happy 100th Birthday John!

John Finn was born on July 24th, 1909 and is the oldest of the 96 living Medal of Honor Recipients. He enlisted in the navy in 1926, following his 17th birthday. John had to have his mother sign him up because he was so young.

Even though he only had a grammar school education, he became an Aviation Ordnance man and worked his way though the enlisted ranks, finally being promoted to Chief Petty Officer in only nine years. John received a commission in 1942 and retired as a Lieutenant in 1956.

He earned his medal for actions at his Naval Air Station during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded John his Medal of Honor in ceremonies on board USS Enterprise. His citation was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He is one of our nation’s treasures…and true American hero. Happy Birthday John!

John is pictured here at the 2007 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention Green Bay Packers Game and also with his Medal of Honor from a U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.