Department of Defense Honors Missouri Department of Conservation

Pictured from left: Nick Reynolds of ESGR, Ronnie Thurston, Larry Frazier, and Craig Bock of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Southeast Region in Cape Girardeau.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Ronnie Thurston and Larry Frazier of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Southeast Region, were honored with Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Ronnie and Larry were nominated by Sergeant First Class Craig Bock of Advance, a Carpenter with the Department who also serves as an Observer-Controller/Trainer with the 3rd Battalion, 383rd Combat Sustainment Support Regiment, 166th Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve in St. Louis. Craig stated that both Ronnie and Larry go out of their way to ensure that his work obligations are met in order for him to leave for military training. "They also cover down on my duties while I'm gone. They do a great job of scheduling work and resources to ensure there are no shortcomings in the Southeast Region due to my absence. This allows me to focus my attention on my military duties. Their support system has been a great asset, and for that, I am grateful."

According to Lee J Metcalf, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (retired) and Missouri ESGR State Chairman, "The Patriot Award was created to publicly recognize American Employers and Community Service Organizations who provide outstanding support and go above and beyond the normal rules of the Uniformed Service Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) to their employees, who like the Minute Men before them, have answered their nation's call to serve. Supportive Organizations are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil.