Our 2023 Devil Pups performed so well at Camp Pendleton this year. It was the first year there was only one increment. Graduation was July 22, and out of the 350 kids in the increment, our St. George gang came home with 3 of the 7 special name awards, one of them with the Bill Toole Award for Persistence, the first time a Southern Utah pup has won that Award. We also had a pup participate in the guidon retirement ceremony. Also, nine pups from last year chose to return to camp as eagles. Another new record for Southern Utah. Another great bunch of pups – we’ve now graduated 149 kids from Southern Utah – a perfect graduation record.
Both Billion Johnston and Donna Toole will be retiring this fall. Bryan Butas will be working with future pups and perhaps a young Marine who has expressed an interest. Vie Van Noy, a 2022 Devil Pup mother, former event coordinator at Ivins Veterans Nursing Home, will be the Coordinator for 2024 and beyond. It's been a rewarding experience working with Southern Utah Devil Pups.
