HONOLULU – Kim Matsukawa, administrator manager, and Lexi Huang, program coordinator, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award on a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day morning at Aloha Tower Marketplace. They were recognized for the extraordinary support they provide their employee Airman 1st Class Cathleen Drake, Hawaii Air National Guard. The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units. By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense. “Kim Matsukawa deserves this recognition for her dedication and support of me joining the Hawaii Air National Guard. She helps me through every step of inputting a temporary suspension on my job and ensures I will be welcomed back with open arms,” expressed Airman 1st Class Drake. “Lexi Huang has been an incredible support during my journey in serving the Hawaii Air National Guard. I am grateful for her enthusiasm to help me through every step of putting a temporary pause on my internship with Kupu. She has a strong sense of responsibility in everything that she does and supports me any way she can.” Both Matsukawa and Huang signed the ESGR Statement of Support for their respective office locations. ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between service members and their employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.esgr.mil/About-ESGR/Contact/Local-State-Pages/Hawaii.