(Pictured left to right) U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Hope For The Warriors Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award recipient U.S. Navy CDR Teddy Tan, U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum and Hope For The Warriors Co-founder and CEO Robin Kelleher.
Tan’s Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award video: https://youtu.be/4OW0-NCOe24
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (October 31, 2023) – Ellicott City, Maryland resident retired U.S. Navy CDR Teddy Tan was recently named a recipient of the Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award at the Hope For The Warriors Got Heart, Give Hope Gala.
Tan was one of three Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award winners, presented by U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum. He was recognized for his years of service, dedication and sacrifice in the U.S. Navy, along with his unwavering focus on his family while facing an unknown medical diagnosis.
“After 30 years of dutiful service protecting our country, it’s time for us to serve the Tan family,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors co-founder and CEO. “We all know the entire family serves when even just one family member wears the uniform. We’re honored to support Teddy and the entire Tan family>”
Named in honor of the Vigiano family, who lost both of their sons in the September 11th attacks, the Hope and Courage Awards are presented to service members and military family members who have demonstrated both hope and courage in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
“I was surprised to learn of this honor,” shared Tan. “I am humbled, and my feelings of gratitude are beyond words. Honestly, my family deserves this recognition more than me.”
Tan, the son of Chinese migrants, was born and raised in the Philippines. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served at Antarctic Development Squadron Six and at the Navy Personnel Command before joining the officer ranks and medically retired in March 2023 after more than 30 years of service.
Right after his last deployment, Tan became mysteriously ill. Medical professionals do not know why or how it happened, but their best guess is that he suffers from an immune response attacking his cerebellum. Tan went from a physically fit and active adult to wheelchair-bound and losing his ability to speak and his fine motor skills.
To give adequate transportation to and from Tan’s treatments and to meet the family’s needs, the Tan family was gifted a van from a fellow military family. In support, Hope For The Warriors worked with its partners at the Driving Rehabilitation Center for Excellence to provide the Tan family with resource brokering, case management, and financial assistance in support of vehicle modification to meet Tan’s specifications.
A true rock and source of strength for Tan, his wife, Laura, states, “No one is born with an expiration date. As his wife, I will do everything in my power to keep Teddy present, engaged, and active with all of our family activities and make all the memories.”
Tan’s active-duty tours include serving as the Executive Officer (XO) of the Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement (BCME) within the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) for his final assignment in August 2020. Prior to this, Tan served as the Human intelligence/
Prior to, he served in various roles at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, U.S. Cyber Command, Defense HUMINT Service, ONI (CNO-IP), Patrol Squadron 26 and Naval Ocean Processing Facility-Dam Neck. Tan completed his Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) certification with the U.S. Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College.
Tan earned a Master of Science in Cyberspace Security/Operations from Mississippi State University. He also is a licensed (in the Philippines) Electronics Engineer and attended school at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Tan’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Bio Information Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal (8) and the insignias for Information Warfare, Naval Aviation Observer, Integrated Undersea Surveillance System and the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, as well as various campaign and service awards.
Tan resides in Ellicott City, Maryland with his wife Laura and their two sons.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.
Media Contact:
Hope For The Warriors
Erin McCloskey
erin@etmccloskey.com
(336) 207-5222
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a foundation of stability, strength and community for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 159,000 through a variety of support programs focused on providing financial, career and educational stability; physical and emotional strength; and social support that builds community. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded 232 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
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