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 hasraised over $2 million to support the NSW community through the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Board Chair and keynote speaker VADM (Ret.) Sean Pybus, left, and host committee Co-chair Jonah Cave
Mike Heinz, left, and Fr. John Fitzgibbons from Regis University
David deRoode, left, Ann DeForest and Chuck Yates
Matt Rytting, left, Isaiah Maring and Justin Gauny from the Patriot Parachute Team
Sandy Dannenberg, left, Christy and David Murphy
SOCM (Ret) Mike Seidler and Allison Seidler
Spencer Osterman, left, Mark Osterman and John St Leger
Scott and Ranee Reynolds, left, with Derek and Maryssa Garben
Jim and Mary Jean Nussbaum
Natalie Allon, Hal Ellis, Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon
Mac Macsovits, left, Brian Becker and Harvey Allon
Jennie Dendorfer, left, Amy Lawrence and Dan Gallery
Mary and Tom Bagley, Patriot sponsors
Laurie Smith and her son James
David Allen, left, and Ray Kirkbride
Fr. John Fitzgibbons, left, Harvey Allon, Larry Mizel and NSF CEO Robin King
Harvey Allon, left, Norm Brownstein and Larry Mizel chat with Robin King
Tracy Glass, left, Janis Tennery and Sandy Dannenberg
Rebekah English, left, Kent Love, Joe Grispo and Missy Quilty
Andy Schutt, left, Nicole Carroll and Brian Chontosh
Chris Irwin of NSF, left, and Jerry Barker
Michael Corbett (host committee), left, Sara Zervos and Jason Harubin
John Sheridan, left, chats with Neil Dermody
David Mandarich, left, with Sheila and Hasan Salem
Malachi O’Neill, left, and Matt Flavin (host committee co-chair)
James and Jonah Cave
Jerry and Azantha Middleton
Rick Sapkin, left, and Norm Brownstein
RADM (Ret) Scott Moore with his daughter Sarah and wife Molly
Jonah Cave, left, Bob Zorich, Jim King Jr., John Kafka, James Cave
Lindsay Warren, left, Mike Porricelli, Earnie Blackmon and Shawntel Staab
Geralyn Helgensen, left, Earl Fontan–father of Chief Fire Controlman SEAL Jacques Fontan, KIA in Afghanistan in 2005, and Josh Helgensen
Ryan Zorn, left, talks with Patrick McGraw
Christian Sobremesana and Maura D’este
Paul Schell, left, Nick Lopez, Jameson Smith, honoree Roger Hutson and Simon Payne MD
Eric and Lindsay Bernum
John Parrino, left, Jenny Lecuyer and Damien Rockley
Russell Armstrong and Heather Lloyd with service dog Dietz
Gen John Barry of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Musesum, left, with Jon and Rose Ann Knight
Alex and Tiffany Bitz, left, Rachael and Nate Saylor
Matt Jones, left, Paula Hale, Leroy Pangle, Josie and Dave Semmes
David Feiner, left, and Adam Agron
Matt Teeters, left, Sydney Hommel and Bill Schneider
David Farahi, left, Craig Gardenswartz, Adam Rothstein, Andrew Vinnik
Gina Landis, left, Joe Grispo, Jon Landis
Kevin Miller MD, left, and Wayne Schell
AJ Herran and Dan Dietz Sr.
Christy and Eric Marshall take a selfie (he was on the host committee)
Master Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Tony Lena and Michele Lena
Tim Nuss, whose company Witchery donated wine, left, with Jean and Barry Willits
Jonathan and Stacey Malcom
Lindsey and Cody Buck
Heather Lloyd and dog Dietz visits with Danny Dietz Sr.
Sam and Stephanie Zaitz
Marilyn and Mark Krantz, left, with Chern Topoian and Joe Ransier
David and Molly Coors (he was on the host committee), left, with Brooke Flavin and Evan Linn
Ginnie Eldridge, left, with Richard and Michele Right
Rachel Paez, left, Rachael Saylor, Lance Sherwood and Deanna Wheeler
Robin King chats with Thomas Bagley and Lee Adelman
Meredith and Roger Hutson, honoree
Meredith and Roger Hutson with Chuck Yates
Mark Geist with his dog Rone
staffers brief Governor Jared Polis
Robin King and Kenny Brody, Trident sponsor
Sue Allon, left, with Clem Connolly of National Jewish Health and Lisa Tadiri
Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis welcomed everyone
Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis
Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon thank attendees
Event Chairs Sue and Harvey Allon
NSF CEO Robin King
Robin King talks about the NSF mission
Event Chair Larry Mizel
Larry Mizel on stage
Senator Cory Gardner
Honoree Roger Hutson on stage with Sen Cory Gardner
Roger Hutson is congratulated by Sen Cory Gardner
Roger Hutson and Cory Gardner
Roger Hutson accepts his “Fire in the Gut” award
Larry Mizel and Roger Hutson
Larry Mizel gives Roger Hutson his award
David Allen, left, and Mike Carver
Don and Cindy Dietz Marsh–gold star mother of SEAL Danny Dietz, KIA in 2005
Sen Cory Gardner chats with Governor Jared Polis
Sue and Harvey Allon chat with Sen Cory Gardner
Larry DiPasquale and Paul Aylmer of Epicurean Catering
Country singer Deanna Wheeler and Lance Sherwood with Cindy Dietz Marsh (center)–catch Deanna’s songs @deannawheelermusic
Host committee Co-Chair Matt Flavin introduces the keynote speaker
Harvey Allon, Sue Allon, Larry Mizel; Co-Chairs: Jonah Cave, Matt Flavin
Founders:
Former SEALs Eric Frohardt and Sean Haberberger
Committee Members:
Auction Chair: Shay Haberberger; Host Committee: Mary K Bagley, David Coors, Mike Corbett, Robert M Dannenberg, Michael Dauro, Cindy Dietz Marsh, James Flavin, Eric Frohardt, Matt Grosjean, Sean Haberberger, Roger Hutson, Meredith Hutson, Stacy Jensen, Matt Joblon, Troy Malesky, Eric Marshall, Rear Admiral Scott Moore, USN. Ret., Jody Newton, Malachi O’Neill, David Preedy, Dan Resnick
President/CEO:
Robin King
Speaker:
Vice Admiral Sean Pybus, USN, Ret.
Sponsors:
Trident: Kenneth and Jacqueline Brody; Patriot: Thomas S. and Mary K. Bagley Foundation; Co-Chairman: Braddock Financial, MDC Richmond American Foundation; HRM Resources III LLC; Skydiving: Kill Cliff; Vice Chairmen: Matt Joblon & James Flavin; Warrior: Marathon Medical, Mike Shaw Subaru, B Braun, Bayswater, Eaton Medical Products; SRC Energy, Robert Dannenberg, Jim Sullivan, Concord Energy Holdings LLC, Citi, Jonah and Shannon Cave, Bob and Barb Zorich, Fishback Foundation; Warrior: Brigade Energy Services, Kirkland & Ellis, Bessemer Trust, ARS Companies, USBank, GEO Dynamics, BluCore Global Response, SCL Health St Joseph, Kaplan & Associates LLC, Alpine Bank, Invent Development Partners, Lockton Global Energy & Marine, The Vinnik Companies LLP, Alliant, Michael Gotchey
Menu:
Spring berry salad, beef tenderloin, marinated chicken, vegan chocolate and margarita dessert shooters, dessert station
Information:
info@NavySEALfoundation.org
Board of Directors:
VADM Sean Pybus (Ret.), Chair; Michael Martin, Vice Chair; Tom Prescott, Treasurer; Ted Muhlner, Secretary; Board members: Michael Boumer, Henry Cornell, Ron Culpepper, Jack Daly, Anthony Duynstee, Joseph Femenia, Jelani Hale, DJ Haley, Christopher Heinz, William Hodge, Joel Marcus, William McMorrow, Stephanie Osler, Timothy Phillips, Muneer Satter, William White, Steve Wisotzki; for a list of advisors to the board and honorary board members, visit www.navysealfoundation.org