Eden Prairie, Minn.- Minnesota National Guard 1st Lt Tyler Piotter presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his supervisor, Jeremy Weller of Dairy Products, Inc. The award was given on May 20th at the company’s offices in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Piotter was very appreciative of Mr. Weller and the firm’s support and assistance with his Guard deployments, and he wanted to honor him as well as the company. All employees of Diary Products were in attendance for the presentation.

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, Jeremy Weller 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 Bob Gagne, an ESGR 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. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.
Award Photo left to right: Jeremy Weller, First Lieutenant Piotter and Bob Gagne, ESGR volunteer.
Statement of Support Photo, left to right: Jeremy Weller, First Lieutenant Piotter and Bob Gagne, ESGR volunteer.
(Photos courtesy of the staff from Dairy Products, Inc.)