BURNSVILLE, Minn. – National Guard Lt. Kodjo (Ben) Djondo presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his supervisor Lloyd Cybart, who is the general agent and owner of Cybart Agency (Knights of Columbus Insurance and Financial Support) May 17.

Djondo stated this award was in recognition of the continued support he has received as Mr. Cybart has always gone far above and beyond in making his military service appreciated and supported. He found this award a way of honoring such support. He especially appreciated this support throughout his state active-duty callout, the COVID emergency, and even during his deployment to Iraq.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors 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 for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

In addition to receiving a Patriot Award, Lloyd Cybart 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 Ombudsman Everett Doolittle. 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 1: Presenting the ESGR Patriot Award from left to right Lt. Kodjo (Ben) Djondo, Lloyd Cybart, ESGR Everett Doolittle.
Photo 2: The signing of the “Statement of Support” by Lloyd Cybart in the presence of ESGR Everett Doolittle.