Delaware construction company CEO Brian DiSabatino was honored on Sunday for his efforts in assisting veterans.
In recognition of his efforts to assist veterans both locally and nationally, the Waste Masters Solutions Hometown Hero Award for 2018 will be given to DiSabatino. He will be honored in a ceremony before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday.
DiSabatino, 53, is the CEO of EDiS Company, a construction management firm based in Wilmington West Chester, PA. The firm was founded in 1908.
One of EDiS Company’s projects, the Town of Whitehall, located outside Middletown, hosts Vet Fest, an annual event established to connect the civilian and military communities, celebrate service, honor our heroes and combat the epidemic of military and veteran suicide.
The day consists of a 5K ruck march that combines the civilian, military and first-responder communities, a parade and a music festival. At the festival, military non-profits, clubs and support organizations share stories and their materials and offerings with the community.
The fourth annual Vet Fest took place on Saturday, Sept. 29, with DiSabatino honoring Gold Star families in front of 1,000-2,000 guests.
Brian’s son Jacob, a junior at The Citadel in South Carolina, worked to put the issue of suicide rates among current and former military personnel at the forefront of his father’s volunteer efforts, including events supporting the non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide organization.
Jacob told Brian about a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that nearly 22 veterans per day are committing suicide. In response, Jacob helped to create the athletic program “22in22” that encourages people to walk, run, swim, or bike 22 miles in 22 days.
The efforts to help veterans have received national attention, with actor Gary Sinise and country music star Charlie Daniels creating public-service announcements in support. For more information, visit http://www.22in22.info/.
“There are those who are willing to stand between harm and our families,” DiSabatino says. “And then there are the rest of us who must make sure that we protect those warriors with the same passion with which they protected us. Unfortunately, that care isn’t happening as it should and we are seeing that lapse manifest itself in nearly 22 suicides every day. This is a problem I couldn’t ignore and it’s a moral dilemma for our country.”
To learn more about helping veterans, visit stopsoldiersuicide.org.
