Friendship leads to establishing scholarship to remember local doctor

“To sum up Kenny in a few words would be a tribute to a great man. Kenny simply cared about all of God’s children. Those special enough to have met him are all better off because of his caring. His caring spirit must serve as a guide for all on how to live life. Because of Ken, we must all care about the people we meet. In this way we honor Kenny’s life.” –John Lochner, a good friend of Kenny’s.

With wife, Mimi in Hawaii in 2008

Dr. Ken Kubsch, grew up in Kellnersville, Wisconsin where he graduated from Manitowoc’s Lincoln High School. He graduated from Marquette School of Medicine in 1968 and first worked as a doctor of Internal Medicine and made many house calls.

Kenny loved the Green Bay Packers and attended games regularly through the years. In the 70s Kenny served as one of the Packer doctors for one year. In 2006 Kenny retired from medical practice and enjoyed his retirement.  Sadley, he passed away one year ago today.

The Ken Kubsch Scholarship  was created to honor a caring and humble Board certified family and internal medicine doctor who was simply called Kenny. In the spring of 2012, a scholarship will be provided to a student at Manitowoc Lincoln High School who is interested in history or science , both passions of Kenny.

John and Kathy Lochner, along with Dan and Carrie Whetter, good friends of the Kubsch's have contributed the seed money to establish this scholarship.

Many of us remember Kenny as the caring friend who was always willing to take care of our families medical needs.  If you would like to keep Kenny's memory alive with a donation please contact Kim at kim.laviolette@gmail.com or 828-242-3790.

"What's Right with America" on 11.11.11

Last Sunday at the Jet Air open house, Brian's Foundation officially announced our next event which will take place on historic 11.11.11. A BIG thank you to Jet Air for allowing us to kick off 11.11.11 with a silent auction and providing a sneak preview of some of the items that will be available for auction the night of 11.11.11.

On 11.11.11, we will celebrate, "What is Right with America" as we recognize the extraordinary people who have helped change the lives of countless individuals throughout the world.

We will highlight the cross-section of America, including the following areas:
• Our Armed Forces

• Philanthropic Work

• Business and Commerce

• The Arts and Entertainment Industry

• The Field of Sports

A special thanks to Cambria Suites, Eagle III and Not By Bread Alone for also donating items to this auction.

Thank you again to Jet Air, all those who bid on the items and all who came to support Brian's Foundation and 11.11.11!

If you'd like to become involved in 11.11.11, please contact Kim at kim.laviolette@gmail.com or 828-242-3790.

A father's proud moment

Board Member, Tony Mitchell is only 33 years old, but if you saw his ‘life’ on paper, you would guess he had lived an entire life thus far.


For starters he and his wife April have four children; Anthony, Alexander, Abraham and Annabelle. Enough said.

Here he is with two of his boys helping at the Quantico and Gettysburg wreath project paying tribute to Eric McColley, who we honor with a scholarship at Gettysburg High School. Fellow Board Member, Stan Clark plays the key role in Eric's Scholarship and wreath project.

 Tony enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1996, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in May 2000, with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Political Science.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) program.  After tours in Okinawa, Japan and two visits to Iraq, Tony reported to Green Bay in late summer of 2005. While in Green Bay, he was very active with Brian’s Foundation- helping at Packer Games, honoring his fellow Marines and also played a key role in the Medal of Honor Convention in 2007.



With fellow Board Members, Vicki Parmentier and Sue LeTourneau helping with ‘Brats for Brian’

On a serious side, one of Tony’s many duties as a United States Marine remains to honor Gold Star Families and our Fallen.   Tony conducted Casualty Assistance Calls Officer duties five times while in Green Bay.



Honoring United States Marine Corps Cpl. Brent Vroman, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2004 serving his country. Brent has a scholarship in his name at Omro High School in Wisconsin, which is sponsored by John and Kathy Lochner. 

 Tony started his masters’ degree in Military History through Norwich University in Vermont, moved to California when he was deployed to Afghanistan. He was the Company Commander for a Combat Engineer Battalion and returned just over a month ago, when he was able to meet his daughter Annabelle for the first time.

But one of his prouder moments happened last week when he was promoted to Major. His three sons, did the honor of ‘pinning’ him, while April and his daughter Annabelle looked on.

The Mitchell’s plan is to stay in California until summer of 2012. And some day Tony’s dream is to be the Mayor of Green Bay. :)



No matter where Tony is stationed, he remains active with Brian’s Foundation. We couldn’t be more proud to have him involved in not only sharing Brian’s Story, but the story of all those we honor.

Scholarships awarded in Poland

Rarely as a city, country or international community are we able to break down the walls that separate us and join together our common bonds, dreams and futures.

Brian's Foundation feels fortunate to have created a partnership with the Nidzica Foundation in Poland.  For 7 years, we have awarded life-changing scholarships to students in Poland to support his or her educational journey.

Thanks to sponsors of these scholarships-the Bob Nueske Family, Dr. Mike and Sue Smullen and the Weyers Family Foundation-we have continued to break down the walls and join together in our common dreams and futures.

The photo from the presentation on Saturday includes: Sylwia Zienkiewicz (recipient), Sebastan Kornet (recipient), Barbara Ploska (a member of the Board of the Nidzica Community Foundation), Barbara Margol (the President of the Nidzica Community Foundation), Katarzyna Szamborska (recipient), and Andrzej Zawieska (Nidzica Foundation)

Our other two recipients, Aneta Rudzinska and Ewa Sutkowska were not able to attend the celebration.

Have you ever wondered if they remember America's sacrifice in WWII?

Story and photos by Doug LaViolette

I might have discovered the answer in a small town in the Czech Republic

I recently had the privilege of attending the Liberation Celebration of the City of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. May 6th, 2010 marked the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by General George Patton's 3rd Army.

My good friend Bob Nueske, was relentless in making sure I experienced what he had a couple years ago. We both had served in the United States Army back in the late 60's, and not far from this city.

This trip was life changing for me in so many ways, the events of May 1-9 touched me so deeply I wanted to share the following snapshots I took to explain why. Why Pilsen and why every American should visit this city. Because.....

They love America and the American Soldier...

even 65 years later...

the citizens of Pilsen came to say thank you..

lining the streets of Pilsen for miles..... 

From large crowds...

To quiet reflective moments..

Including this American family's private time to honor and remember their American hero.

This is the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham's 82nd mission and one that he volunteered to go on.

At the time this 20 year old pilot's P-47 Thunderbolt plane was shot down, a young 14 year old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory.

For 65 straight years , Zdenka, now 79 years old, took on the responsibility to care for Virgil's crash site and memorial near her home.

On May 4th she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka's home town of Trhanova, Czech Republic, for her sacrifice and extraordinary effort to honor this American hero.

Another chapter in this important story.....the Czech people are teaching their children about America's sacrifice for their freedom.

American Soldiers, young and old, are the ''Rock Stars'' these children and their parents want autographs from..

Yes, Rock Stars ! ... As they patiently waited for his autograph, the respect this little Czech boy and his father have for our troops serving today was heartwarming and inspirational.

After witnessing these magical moments Bob Nueske asked how could we not start a scholarship in Pilsen?

We're proud to announce The Brian LaViolette Foundation has established The Scholarship of Honor in tribute to General George S. Patton and the American Soldier, past and present.

The General George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor will be awarded annually to a student who has graduated from one of the 40+ high schools in Pilsen, Czech Republic, and who has chosen to enter the military or pursue a career in public safety or community service (e.g. police, firefighting, emergency medical services, healthcare and medicine, education, social work, humanitarian work, church or religious service)

Each year, a different military hero will be honored in tribute to General Patton's memory and their mission to liberate Europe. The first award will be presented in honor of Lt. Virgil Kirkham, that young 20 year old P-47 pilot killed 65 years ago in the final days of WWII.

Presenting Virgil's award will be someone who knows the true meaning of service and sacrifice... someone who looks a lot like Virgil...

Marion Kirkham, Virgil's brother, who himself served during WWII in the United States Army - Air Corps. !!!

In closing... Here is what the city of Pilsen thinks of General Patton's grandson. George Patton Waters ( another Rock Star! ) we're proud to say, serves on Brian's Foundation board.

And it's front page news.. not hidden in the middle of the social section..

And I was lucky enough witness all of this... Doug LaViolette along with a new friend, Brigadier General Miroslav Zizka - 1st Deputy Chief of Staff - Ministry of Defense - Czech Armed Forces.

So please join us on this amazing journey...

Come visit Pilsen in the Czech Republic during the first part of May 2011. Bob Nueske and I have a feeling it will also be a life changing experience for you. The scholarship will be officially announced this year.  The first scholarship will be presented to a worthy recipient in 2012.

And please share this blog (and follow this continuing story at www.briansjourney.com )with your family and friends and ask them to do the same.....every American should hear this story.