EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Capt. Jacob Koch with the Minnesota Army National Guard is presenting the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his employment supervisor, Branden Nation with Renters Warehouse. The award was given Feb. 1 at Renters Warehouse in recognition of Branden Nation’s support of his employee's service in the Minnesota National Guard.

Koch was very appreciative of Renter’s Warehouse’s support and assistance with his service and Guard deployments, and he wanted to honor him. Koch had participated in Army Training and multiple deployments after his initial hiring. Nation was genuinely happy when supporting Koch’s successes in the Minnesota National Guard. Also present was Tom Haugo, an ESGR Minnesota Committee member.

• In addition to presenting a Patriot Award, Renter Warehouse signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

ESGR is a Department of Defense office which 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 also helps in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs of volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

Photo 1: Patriot Award
Right to left – Capt. Jacob Koch – Minnesota Army National Guard; Branden Nation, Renters Warehouse supervisor; and Tom Haugo, Minnesota ESGR Military Outreach Director
Photo 2: Statement of Support
Right to left - Capt. Jacob Koch – Minnesota Army National Guard; Branden Nation, Renters Warehouse supervisor.

Photo’s courtesy of Renters Warehouse