PEARL CITY, Hawaii – Jesse Adams, supervisor at Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award March 16 for the extraordinary support he provides his employee Airman 1st Class Cathleen Drake, Hawaii Air National Guard. Also in attendance to show their appreciation to Adams were Airman 1st Class Drake's supervisors with the 154th Civil Engineering Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. Fuertes and Staff Sgt. Nicario. 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. “Jesse Adams deserves this recognition for consistently supporting my decision to serve the Hawaii Air National Guard. He has given me a lot of guidance in the field of conservation and in military know-how based on his family’s heritage in military support. He also supports me by knowing that I will be a grand asset to the Air National Guard based on my effort and dedication to everything I do,” explained Airman 1st Class Drake. 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.