William Cleary, owner Outdoor Sports in Williston, and Pierre LeBlanc, president and CEO of Engelberth Construction in Colchester, were recently presented with Department of Defense Patriot Awards for their support of Guard and Reserve employees.
Cleary was recognized for maintaining the vacation pay of employee Kevin Eng, a sergeant in the Vermont Army National Guard, after Eng was unexpectedly moved from inactive to active Guard status for multiple deployments.
LeBlanc was cited for supporting 2nd Lt. Hunter Anderson during an unexpected deployment to undertake a midsummer flood response mission in central Vermont. In addition, Anderson was absent for two weeks of annual training.
Both awards were presented by Dave Wheel, vice chair of the Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.