News from the Brian LaViolette Foundation
To our wonderful supporters. . .
We wanted to let you know that $112,400 was raised for the Brian LaViolette Foundation from the recent Christie's Watch Auction. A special thanks to Eric Wind who spearheaded this and truly made it happen!
We truly appreciate your support,
Kim, Doug, Renee, and Kristin (and students worldwide!)
The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation would like to thank John and Chrissy Warren of Cornell Watch Company, and Roland G. Murphy for their generous time and donation.
This pair of time pieces are being auctioned off at Christie’s through December 13th at 10:00am EST. You can bid and learn more here.
Unique Piece 1870 PC Wristwatch The unique piece, the 1870 PC (“Paul Cornell”), was created in partnership with Roland G. Murphy, known for crafting America’s finest timepieces since 1992. The 1870 PC is a tribute to the Cornell Watch Company’s highest grade pocket watches from the 19th century and it features a traditionally crafted double-sunk Grand Feu enamel dial and thermal blued hands inspired by the original. Inside, the hand-decorated Schwarz Etienne ASE 200 automatic movement features 33 jewels, a micro-rotor, and an 86-hour power reserve. The watch’s 39mm case is crafted from a mix of brushed and polished 316L stainless steel and is hand assembled, rigorously tested, and warrantied by the RGM Watch Company.
Paul Cornell Pocket Watch This gilt, full-plate, size-18 pocket watch was made entirely in Chicago and dates to 1873. It was intended for use as a high-grade railroad watch and features the original double-sunk Grand Feu enamel dial, thermal blued hands, and a sterling silver stemwinding case. The movement is signed “Paul Cornell” and is the most elaborately decorated and precise movement grade originally offered by the Cornell Watch Company, featuring 19 jewels, some with gold settings, a lever escapement, and an index patent regulator. Paul Cornell was not only the namesake of the original Cornell Watch Company, but also the founder of Hyde Park, Chicago. Fewer than 10 “Paul Cornell” grade pocket watches are known to exist today. This specific example comes from the Cornell Watch Company’s private collection.
Charles Simon created this beautiful presentation box which will also go to the winning bidder.
“RedBar is a community focused on our members and their love of watches, and we feel very strongly about supporting our community and encouraging support of charitable causes.
We’ve seen a big groundswell of support for the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation within the RedBar community and the watch industry and community at large.
Photo by Ty Alexander Photography
Photo by Megan Rainwater
“We want to leverage our annual Independents’ Night event, which we have held on the Wednesday before WatchTime New York for many years, to help shine further light on the Foundation and its work, and use the True North-Wind Vintage watch as a fundraiser during the event. We can’t wait to see how much we can raise that night!”
Kathleen McGivney, CEO, RedBar Group
After months of planning, thoughtful design adjustments, and the incredible hard work of dozens of skilled craftsmen, the Brian LaViolette Foundation is proud to announce the release of the Islander Journey Watch today.
Photo by Ty Alexander
This unique limited-edition timepiece was made possible through the generosity of Marc Frankel, owner of Island Watch, headquartered in New York. Marc was introduced to the LaViolette Foundation by Green Bay-based watch photographer Ty Alexander, whose personal connection with both families helped bring this meaningful collaboration to life.
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Marc Frankel has stated, "This is the most important project I've ever worked on."
Photo by Ty Alexander
The Islander Journey Watch not only celebrates Brian LaViolette’s legacy but also aims to introduce the Foundation to a global community of watch enthusiasts.
100% of proceeds from this special release will go toward building a new endowment fund for the Brian LaViolette Scholarship, continuing the Foundation’s mission of honoring hard work, community service, and academic achievement.
Photo by Ty Alexander
Each purchase of the Islander Journey Watch will include:
- A copy of the hardcover book *The Journey is The Reward*, which reflects on Brian’s legacy and the Foundation's inspirational mission.
- A custom deck of playing cards, exclusive to this release.
For more details on the watch and its release, be sure to visit the Long Island Watch YouTube Channel
Or their website here. You can also follow them on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/islanderwatch/
By Sarah Koh of the Straight Times.
As Brian’s Foundation gears up for the 2024 Watch Auction through Christie’s, we are reminded of the 2022 Watch Auction benefiting the Brian LaViolette Foundation. We are still in awe of Pope Francis’s generosity of donating his watch… and it looks like so is the Straight Times in Singapore. Check out number 7!
1996 Swatch Olympic Portraits watch, new in the box and unworn. Swatch releases two main collections each year, and this watch from the spring/summer of 1996 celebrated Swatch being the official timing partner for the Atlanta summer games that year.
The images featured on the watch face and strap are photographs by Annie Leibovitz -- her signature is even featured on the back of the strap.
If you would like more information about the watch or are interested in purchasing it as a part of the Foundation's Legacy watch program, go to https://laviolettefoundation.org/1996-swatch-olympic...
Photographer signature, Annie Leibovitz
This special and very limited Fears Brunswick 'Jubilee Edition' will be up for auction with proceeds benefiting the Brian LaViolette Foundation on December 11th in New York City through Christie’s. Please learn more about it from the company itself…
“We produced 70 watches to mark her late Majesty Queen Elisabeth’s Platinum Jubilee (1952 – 2022). The Brunswick ‘Jubilee Edition’ was exclusively made and sold during the Jubilee year of 2022, making it a perfect souvenir of this special, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Originally it was planned to make an unlimited number during the Jubilee year of 2022, however, when she sadly passed in September that year it was decided to make no more and by chance we had made 70 which seem a very appropriate number to stop at.
As the brand's "Jubilee Edition," this timepiece features a Royal Purple dial, which perfectly replicates this historic color closely associated with Great Britain's royalty. Expertly made in Germany, this regal tone is created using a special kind of lacquer with different drops of pigment added to achieve the exact desired tone. It is finished with a light-catching sunburst pattern radiating from the dial's center. This effect is complemented by the concentric circle finishing on the sunken sub-seconds at 6 o’clock.
"Supporting the LaViolette Watch Auction and Foundation is deeply meaningful to us at Fears Watch Company. Having seen the incredible impact the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has had—awarding 1,160 scholarships since 1992 and helping students achieve their educational dreams—I'm personally inspired by their mission. Contributing to a cause that offers financial assistance and, more importantly, inspires and encourages young people to pursue their passions and make the world a better place resonates with my own values and those of our company."
— Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, (4th) Managing Director of Fears Watch Company
You can learn more about this beautiful watch here.
As the Olympic Opening Ceremonies begin today, we are reminded that throughout Olympic history, it is about more than sporting events. The Olympic Games are about creating legacies.
A Legacy can reveal itself in many different ways. It may come from your character and the life you lead. It may be a reflection of your faith, ethics, and core values. It may be monetary. Or a Legacy may be a wrist or pocket watch that tells a unique story and is passed on from generation to generation.
Brian LaViolette started wearing his first watch when he was four years old. As he grew older, so did his watch collection, and by the time he was 15 years old, he had seven of them.
Brian’s watch collection is the inspiration behind the 2024 LaViolette Foundation Legacy Watch Program, a unique concept that brings watchmakers and watch enthusiasts together to serve a higher purpose–to support a new generation of future leaders as they continue their educational journeys and build their own legacies. To find out more details please visit Legacy Watch Program. This program is in addition to a watch auction being held through Christie's this December.
Here are just a few of the Legacy watches that are part of the program... including several from past Olympic Games!
We are proud to announce that the 2024 LaViolette Watch Auction will be held in New York City through Christie’s Auction House this December. The live auction will take place on December 11th and the online auction December 4-13th.
We can’t wait to continue to share more details with you but for now, we are really excited to share two watch donations from Vortic Watches. Please check them out!
Originally Master Navigator pocket watches, these two Vortic Military Edition timepieces are truly pieces of American history. The original antique pocket watch movements were manufactured for the US Army Air Corps by the Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and used by navigators aboard B17s and other bomber aircraft during World War II.
History is once again being made as the craftsmen at the Vortic Watch Company in Fort Collins, Colorado have brought these two incredible pocket watches back to life, now as wristwatches. Almost 80 years after their original use, the master watchmakers at Vortic have painstakingly rebuilt the pocket watch movements and then precision-machined the wristwatch cases from the highest grade US steel and titanium.
John Krasinski in Season 4 of Jack Ryan wearing one of the watches that will be at Auction in December of 2024.
It seems fitting that both of these Vortic Military Edition watches were worn by John Krasinski and Michael Kelly, two of Hollywood’s leading men, who played the “good guys” as U.S. CIA Special Agents in seasons 3 and 4 of the Netflix series Jack Ryan. The watches were featured in dozens of action-packed scenes, even leaving marks on the watch cases and sweat stains on the leather bands as proof.
Michael Kelly, wore this Vortic Watch during season 3 and 4 of the series Jack Ryan.
Not to worry, if you are the lucky winning bidder, they’ve been completely serviced by Vortic’s watchmakers and are ready for you to write your own history for decades to come if you dare to wear them.
These watches not only represent the past, but they also will support a new generation of students.
Learn more about Vortic Watches on their website, https://vorticwatches.com/.
Brady Wittig, of Ashwaubenon High School, received the Foundation’s 1000th Scholarship. He will be starting his last year at UW-Madison this fall. See what he has been up to…
Is head manager for Wisconsin Men's Basketball team, where he is in charge of 17 other managers and works 40+ hours a week for the basketball team.
Brady, second from the left at the March Madness tournament
Traveled on every road trip with the team, all over the country.
Was promoted to Assistant Camp Director of our youth basketball camps this summer at Wisconsin.
Is coaching an 11U AAU basketball team. “It's been very rewarding to coach and see the positive impact I can have on the young guys as they grow and mature.”
AND is keeping up a 4.0 grade point average.
Boarding a plane for another away game
“Going into my last year of college now, I am majoring in Neurobiology and getting an additional major in Education Studies. After I graduate, I'm keeping my options open but I'm planning on getting my Master's in Secondary Education to become a science teacher.
Thank you guys for having a huge impact on my life. I wake up every morning...and am reminded that the journey is the reward.”
A quick update! I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering this past weekend and I was awarded the Marquette Electrical Engineer of the Year award. On top of that, I also was the first graduate from Marquette to be commissioned into the Space Force as a Second Lieutenant. I will start my first assignment on active duty this August at Georgia Tech where I will get my master's degree in Electrical Engineering.
I want to thank you and your family and the foundation for being a guiding light for me these past four years. I am so proud to be able to represent Brian and his legacy.
Adam Hečl received the 13th annual General George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor in Pilsen, Czech Republic during a special ceremony during the Liberation Festival.
"The life of a volunteer changed a lot for me and taught me a lot. It brought me some new aspects, for example richer communication, the ability to ask for help, especially academic help, to be aware of my strengths but also my weaknesses. Although I don't know what the future holds, I know that my volunteering journey is far from over. On the contrary, it is just beginning, and I am sure that I will remain in my mission," Adam Hečl described in the essay.
Pictured here with Doug LaViolette who joined in on the presentation back in the States. General Patton's Grandson, Pat Waters, joined the presentation online as well.
Adam attended Gymnasium in Rokycany and is pursing a degree to become a teacher and historian.
“Victoria was super surprised and blessed. She opened the envelope after she got off stage and started crying. She has been working and saving money to attend Youth With A Mission YWAM as a step of faith and training she wants to attain before full time college. Her and her mentor were praying for God to provide the rest of the money she needed. She has been working and saving and praying! The amount of the scholarship was the exact amount she needed to go. It was a miracle! Thank you for being a part of this amazing testimony!” - Heather Faulkner Young Life area director
Victoria Perez received the Matt Schmidt Kindness Scholarship during the 2024 Young Life Fashion show. She is pictured here with Young Life area director, Heather Faulkner.
by Kristin Kreuser
This is a story about two different people in two different parts of the world. For our purposes, their stories first begin in 1968. And now, almost 56 years later, we are hoping that with your help, their paths will cross for the first time.
Before you meet the two subjects of this story, we would like you to think back to December 31, 1968. If you lived it, you might remember seeing the image of the very first EarthRise, captured by the astronauts of Apollo 8 a week earlier on Christmas Eve. And if you didn’t live it, you have no doubt seen the captivating image of the illuminated Earth as the crew orbited the moon.
Doug LaViolette on field maneuvers with the US Army in Germany during the summer of 1969.
When the U.S. Army newspaper Stars and Stripes hit the newsstands on that New Year’s Eve, service men and women around the world were awestruck by that image of Earth. It literally took their breath away. Doug LaViolette was one of these servicemen. As a young soldier, a kid actually, Doug wondered about his future and what the world would have in store for him. Little did he realize that within a few years, he would meet the love of his life, Renee; they would be married in 1974; and matters would change from “I” to "us". They would have two loving children, a son they named Brian, and a beautiful daughter christened Kimberly, and in September of 2024 they would celebrate 50 years of marriage.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For the story to continue, we need to go back to that last day of 1968. Doug was stationed in Augsburg Germany, knee-deep in the Cold War and the cold weather. On that same day half a world away, actually 5922 miles away, another soldier was at the House of Adler Vietnam Exchange, buying what was possibly his first “good watch” with his hard-earned combat pay. We know that this soldier was an E4, serving with the 611th Transportation Company. His name appears to be Thomas C. Neshah and his RA Service Number, 56xxxxxx.
Photo by Doug LaViolette
How do we know all of this? It’s written somewhat clearly at the bottom of the original receipt. Though we wonder, is his first name actually Thomas? Or could it be Shane? Or Sheamus?
The battle cry on the 611th Transportation Company unit patch seems so appropriate as we continue our story…
WHAT NEXT?
The timepiece that this soldier so carefully selected and then, for decades, took such good care of, will be coming up for auction at the end of this year in New York City.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, formed in 1992 after Doug and Renee’s son Brian was lost in a swimming accident in Door County. To date, this inspirational foundation has awarded over 1100 scholarships to high school students.
In anticipation of this year’s auction, we would be honored to share more of the story of the soldier who first owned this Technos Sky Diver watch, but we wonder. . .
Technos Sky Diver watch, photography by Ty Alexander Photography
Who is he and what has his life dealt him?
Who were the other men in his unit and does he ever keep in touch with them?
Did he marry? Did he have children? Might he have grandchildren? What did he do for a living? Did he ever wear the watch in combat or did he buy it right before he rotated home to the United States?
Dave Langenfeld, a good friend of the LaViolette family, discovered the watch in Sturgeon Bay. From the little information that we have about the original owner, we know that he spends his summers in Door County and his winters in Florida.
Our hope is that now, over a half a century later, these two soldiers will have a chance to meet and share their stories.
Our hope is also that this Swiss-Made wristwatch will have an impact on a young student for decades to come.
As our story comes to an end, for now, we are hoping for your help. If you know who this soldier is, or if you know someone in his family, please reach out to Doug at (920) 655-4098 or doug@laviolettefoundation.org.
"The Journey is the Reward". These five words first became a part of my life following the loss of my younger cousin Brian. At the time, I was a 20-year-old college student, whose journey was just beginning. Throughout the last 31 years, I have found meaning in Brian’s mantra in many different ways, both personally and professionally.
My journey in supporting education started in the classroom, where I taught language arts for over 28 years. Other than my first semester of teaching, which was at Green Bay East High School, I spent my entire career at Green Bay Preble High School. One of the many great aspects of teaching is being able to mentor and develop connections with students and their families. Watching them start their own life journeys and work towards their goals was the most rewarding part of my job.
Over the years I tried to stay as involved in the school community as possible, in positions such as Academic Decathlon coach, Key Club advisor, newspaper advisor, cheerleading coach, language arts department chair, and Building Leadership Team member. My husband Terry and I live in the Preble community, along with our two adult children, Sydney and Michael, who both graduated from Preble.
Brian’s foundation has been an integral part of my entire adult life. I have been involved as an advisory board member and a volunteer at events. I have watched my cousin’s memory be honored over and over, through the hard work of Doug, Renee, and Kim, through every dollar donated, kind word expressed, and scholarship awarded. I am humbled and proud to continue this work as the Associate Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation.
A message from 2023 LTG Foley Scholarship of Honor recipient Justin Free…
“I am honored to be selected for the LTG (R) Robert F. Foley Award of Honor, although I am certain there are many other cadets from my class who equally deserve this award. Brian’s quote, ‘The Journey is the Reward,’ is very similar to how I have tried to live my life through both the good times and the bad.
During the first semester of my yearling year I had long periods of exhaustions and I finally went to my doctor to get a full examination. Just a few days before Christmas I found out I had Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and needed to begin treatment immediately.
Unfortunately, that would mean that I would have to step away from the Academy for an unknown amount of time and began chemotherapy just after the new year. As tough as this news was for me, it was even more difficult for my family and close friends. Without even knowing it, I had become the bedrock and strength of my family even as I underwent my treatment and worked through my situation as courageously as I possibly could.
After finishing chemotherapy, I then needed to go through a strenuous radiation therapy regiment which kept me from returning to West Point for another semester. I continued to stay positive both for my family and myself. I was always making jokes to make people laugh and doing everything I could to show that they did not need to worry about me at all. During my second semester away, I felt much healthier and began working out significantly more to ensure I would be in the best shape possible when I returned to West Point. I finished my radiation treatment the day before I had to return to West Point.
Justin is pictured here with his parents Edward and Claudeen Free, Commandant -BG Lori Robinson, Sergeant Major - CSM Robert Craven, and Staff and Faculty members in the United States Corps of Cadets.
There was never a moment where I felt alone thanks to the support from everyone around me. I am so humbled to be graduating from the United States Military Academy. “It takes a Village” has never felt more applicable than it does for me today. This is certainly a collective success story as a result of the involvement and support of so many during my Journey.
I would like to reiterate how humbled and honored I am to receive this Award. I feel privileged to be associated with the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. I will strive to live my life with the same values of Brian LaViolette, LTG Foley, and everyone else who’s footsteps I will continue to strive to be a source of positivity and support for my peers and my subordinates when I enter the Army as an Officer. I have met some of the most influential and inspiring people during my time here at West Point and I will continue to push myself every day to follow in their footsteps as I enter the Army profession.”
You can also learn more about Justin and the LTG Foley Scholarship of Honor in this article in Army.
https://www.army.mil/article/272586
The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is proud to welcome two new board members.
Megan Dickman-Renard
Megan Dickman-Renard is the CEO and publisher of The Business News and the founder and CEO of Dickman Media Group. She is deeply involved in various areas of the communications and technology fields, including print, digital, audio, and visual media.
Prior to her current ventures, Megan was the Head of Community and Content for Demiplane, a technology start-up based in Green Bay, WI. Before Demiplane Megan was the Principal Owner/Writer for Crystal Clear Resources, a writing, editing, and translation company that specialized in print and digital editing, proofreading, and publishing. Crystal Clear Resources also translated to and from over 25 different languages.
Megan graduated from Bay Port High School and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.
Bruce Valk
Bruce Valk, who has been in multiple executive roles as an investor, founder, and a member of upper management teams and hasan impressive track record of creating and transforming corporate visions into viable and profitable realities. He most recently worked for AriensCo in Brillion, WI as the Director of Special Projects.
Since receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI, Bruce has been active in several non-profit organizations including United Way, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and the Valley Kids Foundation.
Bruce and his wife Carol live in Appleton.
Darold Cichocki studied at NWTC in Green Bay, WI and this year he and his wife, Pat, wanted to give back and sponsor a scholarship where he started his college education. We feel it is not a coincidence that the 2023 scholarship recipient, John Nowak, would like to also pay it forward one day.
John Nowak has 11 siblings and states that money in their household gets tight at times so the little he does earn goes to help support my family. In his scholarship essay he shared; “I would not let my education go to waste. I will work hard every day, make school my top priority, and greatly appreciate the financial help. Someday I hope to be able to ‘pay it forward’ if I ever see anyone trying their best who could use a little help financially.”
I chose to take the electricity course at NWTC because I wanted to learn a hands-on skill that was interesting and challenging. My parents both attended NWTC and encouraged me to take that path. I enjoy working outdoors, being hands-on, staying active, and focusing on something where I'm able to see my progress. I like to be able to learn how to do things the right way from an instructor who knows the trade because he/she has worked in it, knows the problems one can face in that field, and knows how to overcome the obstacles if there are any. It's important to me to be able to do things the right way the first time, and if for some reason I get it wrong, learn from my mistakes, and do things safely and effectively.
John is on track to graduate from the electricity program in May 2024.
...we have two staff members!
The Foundation, which was established in 1992, was entirely volunteer run for 14 years until Brian's sister, Kim joined as the one and only employee 17 years ago. Today, we are happy and proud to announce that Kristin Kreuser has joined our team as Associate Director.
We are keeping things in the family as Kristin was Brian’s cousin (and Kim's of course) and has been involved with the Foundation for a long time. She served on our Board of Advisors, and has volunteered at many of the Foundation’s events.
Kristin recently retired from teaching after 28 years at Green Bay's Preble High School and has a passion for education.
An Oconto native, Kristin earned her undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College and her master's degree from Lesley University.
Kristin and her husband live in Green Bay with their two adult children, Sydney and Michael, and their Danish exchange student, Ida.
She has a love of travel, books, puzzles and time spent with family.
We are thrilled to have her on the team and we look forward to you all meeting her down the road- whether it is in person or through her work with the Foundation.
We are honored to announce that the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. This four-star rating designates Brian’s Foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator.
This milestone achievement for Brian’s Foundation couldn’t have happened without your trust and your support.
The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is proud to have received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator.
This four-star rating designates Brian’s Foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.
