The clouds parted and the rain waited as hundreds of supporters descended on the Modern Aviation hangar at Centennial Airport for the elite Navy SEAL Foundation Denver Evening of Tribute.
The theme of the evening was teamwork. Navy SEALs depend heavily on the camaraderie of their team. Their families that love them and take over when they’re deployed are a team. The supporters and benefactors of the Navy SEAL Foundation are a crucial element of the team. Our nation and our roots as Americans are also part of the team.
This point was conveyed illustriously by the sponsors, friends and supporters who gathered at the Modern Aviation hangar Thursday night. Attendees talked and laughed outside during the reception and then moved inside the hangar for the program.
Welcome and thanks were given by Event Chairs Larry Mizel and Sue and Harvey Allon; Robin King, CEO; Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis; Senator Cory Gardner; and host committee Co-Chair Matt Flavin.
The honoree of the evening was Roger Hutson, well known for his support of numerous community causes. The keynote address was given by VADM (Ret.) Sean Pybus, who also is the NSF board chair.
The Navy SEAL Foundation provides a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate, and provide critical support to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community during times of illness, injury or loss.
They strengthen the force and family and provide a level of security that enables warriors to focus solely on their missions. Created by former SEALs Eric Frohardt and Sean Haberberger, the Evening of Tribute is Denver’s one of the most anticipated events in Colorado, with its focus on honoring and supporting the SEAL community. To date, the Evening of Tribute has raised over $2 million to support the NSW community through the Navy SEAL Foundation.
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- Board Chair and keynote speaker VADM (Ret.) Sean Pybus, left, and host committee Co-chair Jonah Cave
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- Mike Heinz, left, and Fr. John Fitzgibbons from Regis University
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- David deRoode, left, Ann DeForest and Chuck Yates
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- Matt Rytting, left, Isaiah Maring and Justin Gauny from the Patriot Parachute Team
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- Sandy Dannenberg, left, Christy and David Murphy
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- SOCM (Ret) Mike Seidler and Allison Seidler
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- Spencer Osterman, left, Mark Osterman and John St Leger
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- Scott and Ranee Reynolds, left, with Derek and Maryssa Garben
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- Jim and Mary Jean Nussbaum
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- Natalie Allon, Hal Ellis, Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon
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- Mac Macsovits, left, Brian Becker and Harvey Allon
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- Jennie Dendorfer, left, Amy Lawrence and Dan Gallery
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- Mary and Tom Bagley, Patriot sponsors
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- Laurie Smith and her son James
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- David Allen, left, and Ray Kirkbride
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- Fr. John Fitzgibbons, left, Harvey Allon, Larry Mizel and NSF CEO Robin King
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- Harvey Allon, left, Norm Brownstein and Larry Mizel chat with Robin King
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- Tracy Glass, left, Janis Tennery and Sandy Dannenberg
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- Rebekah English, left, Kent Love, Joe Grispo and Missy Quilty
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- Andy Schutt, left, Nicole Carroll and Brian Chontosh
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- Chris Irwin of NSF, left, and Jerry Barker
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- Michael Corbett (host committee), left, Sara Zervos and Jason Harubin
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- John Sheridan, left, chats with Neil Dermody
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- David Mandarich, left, with Sheila and Hasan Salem
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- Malachi O’Neill, left, and Matt Flavin (host committee co-chair)
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- James and Jonah Cave
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- Jerry and Azantha Middleton
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- Rick Sapkin, left, and Norm Brownstein
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- RADM (Ret) Scott Moore with his daughter Sarah and wife Molly
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- Jonah Cave, left, Bob Zorich, Jim King Jr., John Kafka, James Cave
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- Lindsay Warren, left, Mike Porricelli, Earnie Blackmon and Shawntel Staab
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- Geralyn Helgensen, left, Earl Fontan–father of Chief Fire Controlman SEAL Jacques Fontan, KIA in Afghanistan in 2005, and Josh Helgensen
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- Ryan Zorn, left, talks with Patrick McGraw
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- Christian Sobremesana and Maura D’este
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- Paul Schell, left, Nick Lopez, Jameson Smith, honoree Roger Hutson and Simon Payne MD
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- Eric and Lindsay Bernum
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- John Parrino, left, Jenny Lecuyer and Damien Rockley
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- Russell Armstrong and Heather Lloyd with service dog Dietz
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- Gen John Barry of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Musesum, left, with Jon and Rose Ann Knight
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- Alex and Tiffany Bitz, left, Rachael and Nate Saylor
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- Matt Jones, left, Paula Hale, Leroy Pangle, Josie and Dave Semmes
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- David Feiner, left, and Adam Agron
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- Matt Teeters, left, Sydney Hommel and Bill Schneider
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- David Farahi, left, Craig Gardenswartz, Adam Rothstein, Andrew Vinnik
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- Gina Landis, left, Joe Grispo, Jon Landis
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- Kevin Miller MD, left, and Wayne Schell
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- AJ Herran and Dan Dietz Sr.
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- Christy and Eric Marshall take a selfie (he was on the host committee)
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- Master Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Tony Lena and Michele Lena
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- Tim Nuss, whose company Witchery donated wine, left, with Jean and Barry Willits
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- Jonathan and Stacey Malcom
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- Lindsey and Cody Buck
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- Heather Lloyd and dog Dietz visits with Danny Dietz Sr.
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- Sam and Stephanie Zaitz
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- Marilyn and Mark Krantz, left, with Chern Topoian and Joe Ransier
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- David and Molly Coors (he was on the host committee), left, with Brooke Flavin and Evan Linn
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- Ginnie Eldridge, left, with Richard and Michele Right
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- Rachel Paez, left, Rachael Saylor, Lance Sherwood and Deanna Wheeler
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- Robin King chats with Thomas Bagley and Lee Adelman
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- Meredith and Roger Hutson, honoree
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- Meredith and Roger Hutson with Chuck Yates
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- Mark Geist with his dog Rone
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- staffers brief Governor Jared Polis
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- Robin King and Kenny Brody, Trident sponsor
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- Sue Allon, left, with Clem Connolly of National Jewish Health and Lisa Tadiri
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- Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis welcomed everyone
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- Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis
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- Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon thank attendees
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- Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon
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- NSF CEO Robin King
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- Robin King talks about the NSF mission
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- Event Chair Larry Mizel
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- Larry Mizel on stage
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- Senator Cory Gardner
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- Honoree Roger Hutson on stage with Sen Cory Gardner
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- Roger Hutson is congratulated by Sen Cory Gardner
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- Roger Hutson and Cory Gardner
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- Roger Hutson accepts his “Fire in the Gut” award
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- Larry Mizel and Roger Hutson
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- Larry Mizel gives Roger Hutson his award
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- David Allen, left, and Mike Carver
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- Don and Cindy Dietz Marsh–gold star mother of SEAL Danny Dietz, KIA in 2005
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- Sen Cory Gardner chats with Governor Jared Polis
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- Sue and Harvey Allon chat with Sen Cory Gardner
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- Larry DiPasquale and Paul Aylmer of Epicurean Catering
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- Country singer Deanna Wheeler and Lance Sherwood with Cindy Dietz Marsh (center)–catch Deanna’s songs @deannawheelermusic
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- Host committee Co-Chair Matt Flavin introduces the keynote speaker
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- VADM (Ret) Sean Pybus was the keynote speaker
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- VADM (Ret) Sean Pybus gave a resounding speech
