KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Lockheed Martin supervisors recently received a Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Seven Seals Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces. Lockheed Martin Supervisors Joshua Kennedy and James Steward were nominated for the Patriot Award by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Knopka of the New Jersey Army National Guard’s D Company, 104th Engineering Battalion of the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Keith Dotts, Pennsylvania Southeast Area volunteer. Dotts commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Dotts added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.” ESGR, a Department of Defense office, 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 facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, a global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA Photo (L–R): Chief Warrant Officer 2 Konopka, Patriot Award Recipients Kennedy and Steward, and Pennsylvania Southeast ESGR Volunteer Dotts.