KINGSTON, Wash. –Domingo Almirol, police chief of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Police Department, was presented with a Patriot Award by Phil Sanders, state chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
Chief Almirol was nominated by Navy Reserve Chief Senior Petty Officer David Kirkpatrick, a patrol officer with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Police Department. “Chief Almirol has supported me through a short-fused year-long deployment, years of Reserve service, and gracious flexibility,” said Kirkpatrick in nominating Chief Almirol.
“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,” said Sanders. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
“I did not earn this award, the Department did,” said Chief Almirol upon being surprised with the presentation of the Patriot Award during the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Council Meeting. “They were the ones who ensured shifts were covered while our military personnel are deployed.”
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,” added Sanders. “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.”
“We stay in contact with their families and ensure their families are taken care of,” said Chief Almirol when describing some of the actions the Department took to support their employees who served in the. Reserve Components. “This eases the mind of our servicemembers, so they can concentrate om their mission.”
ESGR is a Department of Defense office 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/WA.
Pictured: Domingo Almirol (right), police chief of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Police Department, was presented with a Patriot Award by Phil Sanders (left), state chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Chief Almirol was nominated by Navy Reserve Chief Senior Petty Officer David Kirkpatrick, a patrol officer with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Police Department.