ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Mark Matusik, a supervisor at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center recently received Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of employee serving in the Army National Guard.

Michigan Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Kuzminski Matusik nominated Matusik for the award.

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective, and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.  

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.