Otter Tail County is honored with the Department of Defense Above and Beyond Award

Camp Ripley Minn. - The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Above and Beyond Award was presented to the Otter Tail County by Colonel Troy Fink, Base Commander of Camp Ripley, on behalf of ESGR on April 11, 2025 at the Educational Center of the Camp Ripley National Guard Facility in recognition of Otter Tail County's outstanding support of its military employees’ service to the Minnesota National Guard and Reserves. Receiving the award on behalf of the employer was County Commissioner Wayne Johnson. Also present was Jack Grams Awards Director ESGR, Robert Emerson County Veteran Service Officer, Lynne Penke-Valdes Deputy Administrator, Sean Sullivan Commissioner, Master Sgt. (Retired) Kyle Westergard, and Minnesota ESGR State Chair Chad Sackett. There was a large group of ESGR volunteers, employers and military personnel present at the event also.
Minnesota Army Reserve citizen Soldier, Westergard, nominated his employer, Otter Tail County. Westergard said, “I want it to reflect my appreciation to the whole of the County Board and Otter Tail County (OTC) leadership. I have been employed by OTC since 1989 and have their unwavering support through 35 years of Annual Training's, multiple deployments, monthly Battle Assembly's and what seems like daily interaction with the Army. From care packages and letters during deployments to their understanding of the challenges Military members undergo daily. I have always had the best care and support an employee could ask for. I will be retiring in March from the Army after almost 42 years of Military service and want OTC to know how much I have appreciated all they have done for me.”

This award is given in limited numbers by State Committees to employers who have had at least one of their supervisors/managers recognized with a Patriot Award and who have signed an ESGR Statement of Support. This award will be given to only 30 businesses this year, from hundreds of Patriot Award nominations received in Minnesota, that have honored their employees’ service in the United States military by providing assistance or benefits that go beyond the minimum required by the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

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.

Photo left to right: Jack Grams Awards Director ESGR, Robert Emerson VSO Director, Lynne Penke-Valdes Deputy Administrator, Sean Sullivan Commissioner, Master Sgt. (Retired) Kyle Westergard, Wayne Johnson Commissioner, Col. Troy Fink and Minnesota ESGR State Chair Chad Sackett.
(Photo courtesy of Larry Helsene)