Cape Region business leaders receive Patriot Awards

Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteer Becky Wingate made rounds to Rehoboth- and Lewes-area companies to present prominent business leaders with Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support they demonstrate to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Delaware ESGR presented Patriot Awards to Nicholas Caggiano of Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth, nominated by employee Timothy Cross, who serves in the Delaware Army National Guard; Chip Hearn of Peppers store in Rehoboth, nominated by employee Dezsaray Anthony, who serves in the Delaware Army National Guard; and Jamie Nickerson of Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Inc. nominated by employee Ross Hicks, who serves in the Delaware Army National Guard.

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.”

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors.

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 USERRA, and provides conflict mediation services. For more information on this, volunteering with Delaware ESGR, or to schedule a free employer education seminar at a worksite, contact Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR office, at 302-326-7582.