Laura McKenna, owner and operator of Sunup Bakery, of Killington, was recently presented with the US Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. David Wheel, representing Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented the award for the outstanding support that McKenna has given to her employee and citizen-service member, Taylor Curtis, of Rutland, VT. Curtis is a Private First Class in the Vermont Army National Guard and serves as a combat engineer with Alpha Company of the 572 Brigade Engineer Battalion in Bradford, VT. She works full-time for Sunup Bakery as an assistant baker.
McKenna stated that she was very happy to support Curtis in her military duties because, "Taylor is such a great worker when she is at the bakery."
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a US Department of Defense organization that promotes, recognizes, and enhances civilian employer support of citizen service members. ESGR, with its partners, also facilitates meaningful employment opportunities for citizen warriors, all veterans, and military spouses.
Pictured: Laura McKenna, award recipient and Taylor Curtis, the Vermont Army Guard soldier who requested the award for her boss.