WEBVTT

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(soothing music)

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<v ->I think most people experience a defining moment</v>

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or moments in their life

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and those become kind of your life script and a real

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defining moment is something that changes your foundational

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shift literally as to who you are as a person

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and that was my first dignified transfer.

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<v Narrator>When Mike Tatoian,</v>

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President of Dover International Speedway first arrived

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in Delaware in 2007,

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he was drawn to Dover Air Force Base six miles

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down the road where he volunteered with USO Delaware.

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12 years later Tatoian now serves

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as the Chairman of USO Delaware's Advisory Council.

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<v ->My role really is to help support our military</v>

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in the USO Delaware programs but it's also to help

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support the volunteers that make it happen.

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(airplane engine roaring)

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<v Narrator>When an American service member dies</v>

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in a theater of operations,

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the remains are flown to Dover where they're received

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in a dignified transfer.

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<v ->I remember vividly 13 years ago,</v>

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the first time I saw a transfer case being removed

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from a C7 team

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and the American flag that was meticulously

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draped he was an army sergeant 26, 27 years old

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who had a young family and a pregnant wife.

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I couldn't imagine what it was like to be that family

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experiencing the absolute worst day

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of their life.

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(sentimental music)
(airplane engine roaring)

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The amount of dignity and honor and respect

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that the men and women that were responsible

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for this transfer it was amazing to me.

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It's a no-fail mission.

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I wanted every American citizen to be there with me.

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(host mumbles)
(airplane engine roars)

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<v Narrator>Today under Tatoian's leadership,</v>

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USO Delaware reaches over 80,000 service members

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and their families a year.

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<v ->I think most people may think that it is a DOD</v>

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function and it's not.

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It's not government funded and so our individual donors

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they're the backbone of how the USO

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and USO Delaware survives.

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<v Narrator>As chairman,</v>

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Tatoian's fundraising efforts support events

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such as USO Delaware's tent at the Dover Air Show

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where they host gold star families,

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those who have lost a loved one in service.

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<v ->I met Mike almost 10 years ago and I immediately</v>

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felt like a connection with him.

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My dad was in the military and military spouse

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and just seeing somebody that was so genuinely interested

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in helping the military it wasn't just about him

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being on a board.

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His heart was fully in it.

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<v ->Oh you're about to be ten.</v>

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I'm about to be a lot more than ten.

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(airplanes roaring)

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<v Narrator>Tatoian's imprint on the Dover community</v>

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is evident in the military village set up outside

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of the speedway on race weekends

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to foster community interactions.

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In his role as an air force advocate,

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serving with a select group of community leaders

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around the country in the United States Air Force Civic

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Leader Program advising the Chief of Staff on issues

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affecting the air force and civilian communities.

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In simple acts of kindness like hosting the Armed Forces

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Medical Examiner Team for a day at the track.

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In providing items such as food, clothing, and toys

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for grieving families arriving at Dover to receive

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their fallen hero or in going out of his way

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to surprise an airman deploying on his 13th tour

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with a visit from his favorite driver Kevin Harvick.

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<v Announcer>What an honor for Michael Kelly</v>

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to be able to throw the green flag today at this race.

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<v ->Mike cares so much at bringing that community</v>

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together and he just keeps pushing and pushing

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to make sure that that continues.

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<v ->If we don't open up that line of communication</v>

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and really understand what it's like to serve

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in the military I think it's a disservice.

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It's our solemn mission to carry that message

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to anyone that's willing to listen

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and it's something I'm extraordinarily passionate about.

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<v ->Things like that don't happen by happenstance.</v>

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They happen by very deliberate intent

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on people's part like Mike.