PLYMOUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Army National Guard Spc. Joshua M. Frueh is on deployment with the Minnesota Red Bulls and requested ESGR volunteer Jack J. Grams present a Patriot Award to his employment supervisor, Joshua Strommen.

The Patriot Award was given on Feb. 26 at Johnson Controls in Plymouth in recognition of Joshua Strommen's support of the Minnesota National Guard. Frueh was very appreciative of the support and assistance offered by his supervisor and his entire Johnson Control Branch and wanted to honor Joshua Stommen.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate an individual supervisor for the Patriot Award for support provided directly to the nominating Servicemember 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 of families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

In addition to receiving a Patriot Award, Ty Schildhauer, Branch Manager, 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 Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment 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 tto 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.

Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve, 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 Service members and their employers. This year ESGR celebrated over 50 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: Joshua Strommen, Jack Grams ESGR, Ty Schildhauer.