MILILANI, Hawaii – Janet Covington, Cohen Clinic Director, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award April 18 for the extraordinary support she provides her employee Master Sgt. Tatiana Abasolo, United States Air Force Reserve.

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.

“As a clinic that supports military family members and service members my employer and most importantly my supervisor ensure that I am never penalized for my service. They have encouraged me to support my unit as needed. My military service is also highlighted in the work I do all across the organization,” explained Master Sgt. Abasolo.

During the ceremony, Amanda Pump, Child and Family Service Chief Program Officer signed an ESGR Statement of Support 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 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.