Pat Tillman Award for Service Recipient US Air Force Master Sergeant Israel “DT” Del Toro, Jr.
Named Keynote Speaker for 5th Annual Patriot Day Ceremony
True potential can only be realized by believing, trusting and not quitting. Israel “DT” Del Toro, Jr. explores the power of bravery in the face of adversity, staying motivated, and developing the perseverance that will get you to your destination.
Ivins, UT – The Southern Utah Veterans Home (SUVH) is pleased to invite the southern Utah community to their FREE 5th Annual Patriot Day Ceremony. The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. at the Southern Utah Veterans Home. (160 N. 200 East, Ivins, UT 84738) Sept. 11, 2018. SUVH, now in their fifth year of service, will observe Patriot Day with an inspirational program focused on recognizing the veteran heroes that make our nation extraordinary. Impactful motivational speaker and hero in his own right, US Air Force Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro, Jr. will present a keynote address entitled “Stay Strong Finish Strong – The Flames That Made Me Stronger” in the state of the art multi-purpose room onsite. Master Sergeant Del Toro was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service in 2017.
Doors will open at 1:00 prior to the Ceremony starting at 2:00pm; attendees are welcome to come early and learn more about the facility and take a tour of the campus. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 2:00 with a photo opportunity immediately following the presentation at 3:00pm. To open the ceremony we are pleased to announce that the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard will post the colors. Actress and author Jan Broberg, a southern Utah local and Director of the Center for the Arts at Kayenta will also be on hand to perform the National Anthem.
“We work year-round to bring exclusive, unique and impactful speakers to our Patriot Day event, and this year is no exception. It is important to us to honor and celebrate our dedicated veterans; quality presentations such as this are just one way we can articulate and demonstrate our respect to our residents and military serving at home and across the globe. I am very excited about the program this year and the enthusiastic reception it has had. The opportunity to welcome our community to share and commemorate Patriot Day with our guest Mr. Del Toro is truly life changing and humbling,” said Jennifer Ferrau, Admissions Director.
Israel “DT” Del Toro is nothing short of miraculous, and even that would be an understatement. In 2005 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro was following routine orders when his Humvee rolled over a buried pressure-plate mine and exploded. The blast severed most of his fingers and left him in a coma for nearly three months, with burns covering the majority of his body. He was given a 15% chance of survival, but Del Toro defied the odds and made a miraculous recovery. During his rehabilitation, Del Toro was introduced to adaptive sports as a therapeutic outlet and it quickly became something he excelled at. He eventually set world records in shot put, discus, and javelin and won a gold medal at The 2016 Invictus Games. For his perseverance and commitment to his country, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro received The Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 25th ESPYS Presented by Capital One in 2017. After waking up from his coma, Del Toro was given a bleak prognosis and was told he may never walk or breathe on his own again, and that he most definitely would not be able to re-enlist in the military.
In an article entitled “Israel Del Toro wins Pat Tillman Award for Service” by ESPN, noted “The Pat Tillman Award was established in 2014 to honor the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger who died in combat in 2004. Winners have a strong connection to service and sports.”
During the award presentation, “DT” was truly touched telling ESPN, “First, I’m humbled for even being considered for this prestigious award named after Pat Tillman, a man I admire, but to actually receive this honor is unbelievable,” Del Toro said in the statement. “When I heard that Pat Tillman gave up a career in the NFL to serve his country after the 9-11 attacks, it gave me so much pride to call him a brother in arms. He truly is a shining example of Service Before Self. To Mrs. Tillman and the Pat Tillman Foundation, I give you my pledge that I’ll always try to live up to the true meaning of the Pat Tillman Award for Service in everything I do, and to represent his spirit to the best of my ability.”
“We are honored to be able to bring DT here to southern Utah and are looking forward to seeing our community celebrate another hero this year with our veterans here at the Southern Utah Veterans Home”, said Ferrau.
Please join the SUVH for this community event and a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Master Sergeant Israel “DT” Del Toro, Jr.
5th Annual Patriot Day Community Celebration Hosted & Presented By: Southern Utah Veterans Home
Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m. Doors Open Southern Utah Veterans Home Multipurpose Room; Campus Tours and Information
Program Start: 2:00 p.m. Opening remarks by Jennifer Ferrau, Admissions Director
Presentation Agenda:
2:05 Posting of Colors by the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard
2:10 National Anthem performed by Jan Broberg
2:15 Introduction of keynote speaker by Jerry Olson, SUVH Administrator
2:20 Israel Del Toro, Jr. presentation: “Stay Strong Finish Strong – The Flames That Made Me Stronger”
2:55 Closing remarks by Tony Moore, VA State Officer
Location: Southern Utah Veterans Home Multipurpose Room; 160 N. 200 E., Ivins, UT 84738
Cost: FREE to all; Open to the public.
*THIS EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BE AT CAPACITY. SPACE IS LIMITED; FIRST COME FIRST SERVED.
After the presentations, Mr. Del Toro will host a reception line with photo opportunities for 30 minutes.
The Southern Utah Veterans Home is pleased to share this event with southern Utah in partnership and appreciation of the following sponsors: Red Mountain Resort, Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard, Actress Jan Broberg, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Avalon Health Care.
About US Air Force Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro, Jr.
In 2005 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro was following routine orders when his Humvee rolled over a buried pressure-plate mine and exploded. The blast severed most of his fingers and left him in a coma for nearly three months, with burns covering the majority of his body. He was given a 15% chance of survival, but Del Toro defied the odds and made a miraculous recovery. During his rehabilitation, Del Toro was introduced to adaptive sports as a therapeutic outlet and it quickly became something he excelled at. He eventually set world records in shot put, discus, and javelin and won a gold medal at The 2016 Invictus Games. For his perseverance and commitment to his country, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro received The Pat Tillman Award for Service at The 25th ESPYS Presented by Capital One in 2017. After waking up from his coma, Del Toro was given a bleak prognosis and was told he may never walk or breathe on his own again, and that he most definitely would not be able to re-enlist in the military.
About the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard
The mission of the Nellis Honor Guard is to represent the Air Force in ceremonial functions in Southern Nevada, some areas of California, Arizona and Utah. They render military honors for Air Force personnel and their family members during funeral services and serve at Change of Command and retirement ceremonies. Another function of the Honor Guard is to provide their services at opening ceremonies for appropriate events attended by the general public.
About the Southern Utah Veterans Home
Our business puts people first and was founded on the principles that recognize the worth of every individual. Our success depends upon our ability to create and maintain a nurturing environment where individuality is promoted and dignity is preserved. We provide patients the most affordable, high-quality services for all recognized Utah veterans, spouses and surviving spouses who require short term rehab or long term nursing home care as defined by the VA or Medicare and as certified by a physician. Our admissions are overseen by a team process available 7 days a week that includes the Administrator, Director of Nursing, Medical Director, Admission’s Coordinator and other staff members needed to support a successful transition into the Southern Utah Veterans Home.
“We embrace a reverence for life and a heart for healing.”
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