ELLENDALE, Minn.  –  Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd Beynon presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award to his employment supervisor, Principal Craig Kopetzki. The award was given at the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) Elementary School Jan. 30 in recognition of Principal Kopetzki’s support of his employees' service to the Minnesota National Guard.

Beynon said, “Principal Kopetzki has been incredibly supportive of my military career. He bends over backwards to make sure I’m covered, and he encourages my military ambitions.”

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 Patriotic Employer Award for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. The Patriotic Employer 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 Patriotic Employer Award, Ronald Golden 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 Paul Ragatz, an ESGR Ombudsman/Minnesota Committee member. 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 53 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 from left to right: Paul Ragatz, Craig Kopetzki, Staff Sgt. Todd Beynon

(Photo courtesy of Paul Ragatz)