MOBILE, Ala. – Alabama Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program announced David Burton, with Continental Motors Maintenance Department, was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of his employee serving in the Guard and Reserve.
Burton was nominated for being highly supportive of the U. S. Army Reserve by his Reserve Component employee, Staff Sgt. Louis Gerald.
“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Paul Worthey, Alabama ESGR District 1 Chair. Supportive supervisors noted Worthey are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
Gerald noted, “my supervisor makes sure that I always have what I need while I am out of work. He routinely calls while I am on duty to see how I am doing and to check on me. As a retired Navy man, he understands the meaning of serving our country and the support that we need when we are away from home and our families.”
Ron Ditchie, Facilities Director, and Burton related they are honored in receiving this award and supporting Gerald.
Bill Kringel, Alabama ESGR State Chair, concluded the ceremony by thanking Ditchie and Burton for supporting their Guard and their Reserve and thanking Gerald for his service.
ESGR seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the Department of Defense. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.