Warrior student-leader serves veterans

Junior Natalie Popp has been serving as Miss Madison's Teen this year. While volunteering at River Food Pantry as part of her duties, she meant Lew, a veteran and who served in three wars—WWII, Korea, and was the oldest commander during Desert Storm. Lew's goal was to do 99 new things before he turned 100 in August, a goal he eclipsed by his birthday.

When Lew met Natalie, he mentioned that he was concerned that by 2030 there will be no surviving World War II veterans and they might be forgotten. Inspired by Lew's life and story— and to make sure those veterans would be remembered— Natalie wrote a children's book "Lew for the Red, White, and Blue," and Forever Warrior Anna Kreutz ('21) illustrated it. Natalie and Anna (pictured with Natalie below) attended Our Redeemer elementary school in Madison together. Natalie's mom Sarah says, "his story is one of service and love of country … he has accomplished some incredible things as he approached 100 years."

Natalie's journey of service involving veterans didn't begin with Lew. At Lakeside, Natalie organizes a Mail Drop for guests at our Veterans Day events; this year she's also made a tie blanket, to be given to a guest at our event this fall.