O'Reilly Auto Parts honored with Patriot Award

Kayla Vaughn nominated her manager, John Gaskins of O'Reilly Auto Parts in Cape Girardeau for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.

O'Reilly Auto Parts manager John Gaskins has received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award, in recognition of his extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves. He was recommended for the award by Kayla Vaughn, who is an Airman 1st Class in the 121st Air Control Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard.

Kayla says of John that he has been very supportive of her military training. "He kept in contact with my mother while I was away at training to ensure I was ok. He reminds me that I am doing well and that I had made a great decision. My manager and fellow employees make me feel proud of what I am doing in the military and I am proud to say that they are my employer. They really set an example for other businesses."

The ESGR Patriot Award was created to publicly recognize individuals and businesses who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation's call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's Guard and Reserve units. Employers are nominated by their military employees.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency and no-cost resource that recognizes supportive employers, informs service members and employers about the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and provides conflict mediation services.