Over 50 Vermont companies who employ members of the National Guard or Reserve or otherwise support citizen soldiers were recently recognized for the outstanding manner in which they treat their employees who serve part-time in military uniform.
See photo gallery below.
The Vermont Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) (US DoD) presented awards to companies who were nominated by their employees in a special ceremony in Montpelier earlier in June. The awards represent recognition of each company by the U.S. Department of Defense. Some were recognized for having received their awards earlier in the year, while several received their awards at the ceremony.
The companies being honored made meaningful sacrifices to support their employees whom they share with the Guard or Reserve.
Awards were presented in various categories. The Patriot Award is given to supervisors in the civilian work place who have demonstrated solid and positive support to their employees who serve in military uniform. A total of thirty companies statewide were recognized as recipients of the Patriot Award.
The Above and Beyond award was presented to thirteen companies for exceeding the basic requirements of Federal law and the enhanced support they gave to their citizen soldiers. They include: the City of Winooski, Winooski; BDR Transport, Westminster; Close To Home, S. Burlington; Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility, Rutland; Engineers Construction, Inc., S. Burlington; FAHC Emergency Department, Burlington; Gifford Medical Center, Randolph; Mt. Abraham Union High School, Bristol; Transportation Security Administration, S. Burlington; USIS Analytics, Williston; Vermont State Police, Bethel; Vermont Telephone Co., Springfield; and Windham County Sheriff’s Dept., Newfane.
Two companies earned the Seven Seals award for making special efforts to support our citizen soldiers, their families, or the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program. J. Brown and Sons Printing, Inc. of Barre and Vermont Business Magazine of South Burlington were this year’s recipients.
Four companies were recognized for their nominations for the national Department of Defense Freedom Award to be presented this fall. These organizations demonstrated such a high level of support to their Guard and Reserve employees that they were considered for a national award. Engineers Construction, Inc., Fletcher Allen Health Center Emergency Department, and the Windham County Sheriff’s Department were recognized and previously received the Above and Beyond award, while Operation Military Kids: Vermont (UVM Extension) was recognized with the Seven Seals Award.
The Pro Patria award is the highest award that can be presented by a state ESGR committee. Engineers Construction, Inc. (ECI) of Williston has consistently demonstrated a higher level of support to their employees in the Guard and Reserve over many years. In 2004, one of their employees was killed in action in Iraq, and the company not only continues to hold him in their memory, but also operates with a highly patriotic spirit, supportive of all members of the military.