Selco donates beautiful Scholarship of Honor watches

Mark Abels, President and CEO of Selco Companies donated the above Scholarship of Honor watches to Brian's Foundation.

Doug LaViolette was able to meet with him at the PPAI tradeshow in Las Vegas last week and presented him this special plaque:

On behalf of its many scholarship recipients, The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to:

Mark Abels
Selco Companies

Through the generous support of Selco Companies, the memory of our nation's service men and women, and their commitment to duty, honor and country, live on through the Scholarship of Honor. Thanks to the donation of Selco’s beautiful timepieces, that message will continue to be spread by those scholarship recipients who share a passion for community service and love of country.

St. Norbert College Scholarship Recipient studies in England

Adam DeCleene of DePere, Wisconsin will graduate from St. Norbert College in 2011. He is one of 4 students who received our St. Norbert College scholarship. Adam is currently in England where he is studying at Lancaster University. He sent this photo of his travels to Rome along with the thoughtful thank you below.

Thanks for the update Adam!

Remembering Not Only a Hero, but a Great Man--Len Keller

Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient, Leonard "Len" Keller, 62 was laid to rest November 30th in Arlington Cemetery, over a month after he was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Brian's Foundation had announced in 2008 and was in the process of completing the endowment drive for the Len Keller Scholarship of Honor at Guilford High School in Rockford, IL. Len was going to present the first award.

Len was killed only minutes after being honored at the U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve Association in Pensacola, Florida. He was a two-tour Army veteran and recently retired after a 28-year career as a civilian in the supply unit at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Sergeant Keller was cited for heroic action in May, 1967 when his unit was assaulted by superior enemy forces near Ap Bac, South Vietnam.

Photo by: Nick DelCalzo

Saying goodbye to an American Hero at Arlington-Doug LaViolette


"What humbled me the most on that rainy Monday was after everyone left Len's Memorial service. I had the privilege to privately say goodbye. Here in front of me, was a bigger than life American hero, being laid to rest in these hollowed grounds at Arlington in the basic military issued casket...nothing fancy. But then there was nothing Len would have liked more than to be treated like every other soldier he ever served with. I can guarantee he did so with respect and his soldiers respected him.

We promised Len we would honor him perpetually with the Leonard Keller Scholarship of Honor at Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois...we will keep that promise. We will miss Len presenting the first scholarship this coming May, but we will never forget..."

-Doug LaViolette-U.S. Army Sgt 1968-70.

Photo was taken by Doug at the beginning of Len's funeral procession overlooking the Pentagon.

Save the Date for 11.11.11

We pull through challenging times by pulling together. That is the foundation of this great country and we’d like to invite you to join us on 11.11.11 for a historic occasion as we celebrate “What’s Right With America.” We will salute the extraordinary people who believe that “The Journey is the Reward.”

We can’t think of a better way to honor Brian’s memory than to recognize those who follow in his footsteps and continue to make a difference. The evening will feature several guests of honor and special entertainment.

The Brian LaViolette Foundation thinks it is only fitting that we take an evening to celebrate those who make this country great!

A Journey without Borders-Poland Scholarships presented October 31, 2009

Brian's Foundation teamed up with the Nidzica Community Foundation in Nidzica, Poland in 2003 and now awards seven scholarships annually.

Thanks to sponsors: Bob Nueske Family, Casey Cuene Family, Dr. Michael Smullen Family, the Weyers Family Foundation and the Brian LaViolette Foundation, seven students receive a life changing scholarship.

Pictured here are: Halina Pyszko (a member of the Board of the Nidzica Community Foundation), Andrzej Zawieska, Renata Bruzdziak, Aneta Rudzinska, Szymon Kowalski, Marta Jablonowska, Alicja Suberlak, Tadeusz Miecznikowski (the President of the Co-operative Bank in Nidzica, member of the Board of the Nidzica Community Foundation), Barbara Margol (The President of the Nidzica CF ). Sylwia Lubian and Renata Adaszynska could not attend the ceremony.