ROCKFORD, Minn. – Minnesota Army National Guard Spc. Stephen Nelson presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award to his supervisor, Rockford High School Principal Paul Menard. The award was given Feb. 5th at the Rockford High School in recognition of Menard's support of his employee's service to the Minnesota National Guard.

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 Servicemember 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.

“I would like to formally recognize my employer and my direct supervisor, Rockford School District and Principal, Mr. Paul Menard, for their support of veterans and military families working within the school district,” said Nelson. “Rockford Area Schools and Mr. Menard encourages service members of the Guard and Reserves by maintaining balance with the needs of the school district as an organization, hiring service members and family members, and recognizing the needs for military service members who are called to serve both state and federal missions when called.”

Nelson went on to say, “Mr. Menard has been the supervisor, as high school Principal, not only for myself this current school year, but the supervisor for my wife, Leah Nelson, who has taught in the District for 10 years. The Rockford school district and high school supported my wife, while I served on a deployment tour to Afghanistan 2020-2021. Rockford High School continues to be supportive of our regional recruiters for the Minnesota Army National Guard and other military branches. Not only does Rockford High School encourage branches to be a presence in the building and for career fair day, but they allow regional recruiters to collaborate in teaching various leadership lessons. My wife and I are grateful to work for such an employer that recognizes and supports our service members.”

In addition to receiving a Patriotic Employer Award, Menard signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the school 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 at the ceremony was Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover EdD, the Superintendent of Rockford Area Schools and Bob Adams, 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.

Award Photo left to right: Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover, Paul Menard, Spc. Stephen Nelson, and Bob Adams ESGR.
Statement of Support Photo: Paul Menard.