RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced Judge Marion Warren, Director, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts was honored Sept. 20 with the Patriot Award for his support of 1st Lt. Thomas Murry, 113th Sustainment Brigade, North Carolina Army National Guard . The ceremony was hosted by ESGR volunteer, Ken Oppenheim.
"Judge Marion Warren has highly supported my service in the North Carolina National Guard,” said Murry. “In addition to thanking me for my service, Judge Warren made it clear that he was glad I was pursuing service in the National Guard and encouraged me along the way. When I returned to my job, I was warmly welcomed by all.”
The Patriot Award recognizes individual supervisors and bosses nominated by an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve for support provided directly to the nominating Service member. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support Citizen Warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence of needed.
"We are proud to recognize the countless employers who not only support their employees serving in the nation's Guard and Reserve, but who readily acknowledge the extraordinary value they bring as employees to their workplace,” said North Carolina ESGR Committee Chair Ron Bogle. “Hiring Guard and Reserve members as an employee is not only the patriotic thing to do, it's the business-smart thing to do."
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. More information regarding ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, is available at www.ESGR.mil or by calling Darrell Johnson at 704-279-2801 or email Luther.D.Johnson.ctr@mail.mil. Also, you can follow the North Carolina ESGR Committee on Twitter @NC_ESGR or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ESGRNC.
Pictured left to right: Judge Marion Warren, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, 1st Lt. Thomas Murry, North Carolina Army National Guard, and Ken Oppenheim, ESGR