HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Staff Sgt. Alex Gugala, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his employment supervisor Jeramy Katchuba. The award was presented Jan. 25 at the Hermantown YMCA in recognition of Jeramy’s support of his employee's service to the Marine Reserves.

Alex was very appreciative of Jeramy’s support and assistance with his Marine service, deployments and time missed for military and wanted to honor Jeramy. An employee serving in the Military Reserve, or the spouse of a Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriot Award for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. 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 if needed.

In addition to being presented a Patriot Award, Jeramy signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:

We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

Also present was ESGR Minnesota Committee member Bob Boone. ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates over 51 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers.

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

Photo left to right: SSG Alex Gugala, Jeramy Katchabu and Bob Boone
(Photo courtesy of Bob Boone)