Duluth Minn. – Army 1st Lt. Travis Salo, Army National Guard (ARNG), presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award to his supervisor, Michelle Thompson with Essential Health in Duluth April 30th to show his appreciation for the support he receives during his reserve duty time.

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.

In addition to receiving a Patriotic Employer Award, Thompson 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 Frederick Godec, Region 2 Chair for the Minnesota ESGR, James Conger, Region 2 Volunteer, and Jenna Anderberg, Regional Vice President for Fresenius. 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. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.
Photo left to right: James Conger ESGR, Jenna Anderberg, Fred Godec ESGR, Michelle Thompson, and 1st Lt. Travis Salo.