Dogfish Head brewery honored by DOD with ESGR’s Patriot Award

Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteer Angela Showell honored Jeff Ellena and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The recipient was nominated by employee SPC Christopher O'Connell, who also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve's 673rd Quarter Master Company Mortuary Affairs unit in Dover.

O’Connell stated in the nomination that his employer is highly supportive of service in the armed forces and goes above and beyond legal requirements to continue benefits and salary during mobilizations. O’Connell wrote in his nomination, “My boss, Jeff, deserves this recognition. When I left for [military] training for two and a half months and then came back, I was greeted with a warm welcome back and pay raise with more responsibility to train the new hires. Dogfish Head employs many veterans in all departments. With the great reception I have received, I believe they will continue to be supportive and hire more reservists or guard members.”

According to Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR executive director, “The ESGR Patriot Award was created to publicly recognize individuals 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 our 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 with a mission to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR provides free education and consultation on USERRA law, and if necessary, mediation for civilian employers of Guard and Reserve employees. All Delaware employers are encouraged to sign their Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.

For more information on this, volunteering with Delaware ESGR, and employer education programs, contact Kubik at 302-326-7582.