We are proud to share that our Chair and Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) received the Burn Pits 360 Advocate of the Year Award at the Gala of Valor 2026.

Anthony Paolino accepted the award on behalf of CMVS at the celebration, held on Saturday, October 17, at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. The honor recognizes decade-long service on the Burn Pits 360 Advisory Board, advocacy for Veterans exposed to toxic substances, and a commitment to ensuring Veterans and their families are not left behind. It also reflects CMVS’s broader mission to build community-based support that helps Veterans thrive where they live.

When asked about advocacy our Chair said, “Our best advocates are not distant observers. They are the people who have served, stood beside those who served, carried the challenges associated with deployment, and refused to let sacrifice be forgotten. Their collective voices have brought visibility to experiences that too often went unheard. They have transformed pain into purpose and concern into action.”

Thank you to Burn Pits 360’s leadership, Rosie & Le Roy Torres and the entire team at Burn Pits 360, for this recognition. Your commitment to the well-being of those suffering from the effects of military toxic exposure reflects the very best of military service: a willingness to stand with others, to speak when speaking is difficult, and to pursue accountability and care for those who have given so much. Your advocacy reminds us that leadership continues beyond the uniform through service to people and communities in need.