Camp Ripley Minn. - Fred Godec, long time Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer was presented with the ESGR Lifetime Achievement Award 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 his outstanding support and service to Minnesota National Guard and Reserves and the employers of those servicemembers.

Mr. Frederick J. Godec, Born and raised in Ely, Minn. Graduated from Ely Memorial High School class of 1963. Fred Godec, a member of the MN ESGR from June 2005, is awarded the ESGR Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions in ESGR’s primary functional area of Military Outreach Coordinator 2005 and Region 2 Chairman from 2019. Fred Godec has lived his entire life on the Iron Range of Minnesota.
Fred graduated from Ely High School in 1962. During high school, Fred was active in music serving as a drummer in the Ely Dillon Aires Drum and Bugle Corps and was also the original stand-up bass player for the Electra’s rock band.

Fred graduated from the DeVry University in Electronics in Chicago prior to moving to Hibbing where he and his wife, Char, were married in 1965. Together, they raised five children. Fred worked for Hibbing Precision Industries as well as U.S. Steel MinnTac. He also started and managed a very successful electronics security systems company in 1965 until he retired in 2008.

Fred’s zeal for community advocacy and support is simply unmatched. He serves as a member and lead usher of the Blessed Sacrament church in Hibbing, also serving the Knights of Columbus in numerous positions, including Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Fred was also heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a leader, served on the Mayor’s Advisory Board for Senior Citizens, and was both an Internal and External Vice President of the Jaycees.

Some of Fred’s achievements include serving on the Joint Recreational Board, was President of the Starlighters recording committee, sat on the Minnesota Electrical Licensing Board, was a Police Commissioner for over six years, trained countless individuals as a Certified Firearms Safety Instructor for the Hibbing Rifle and Pistol Club, and served and continues to serve as the Region 2 chair for the Employer Support of the Guard Reserve. Fred is a dedicated Harley rider completing over 150,000 miles on these rides, visiting many cities within all states and Nova Scotia. He also achieved all positions of the Harley Davidson Laurentian Motorcycle Club.
Fred Godec’s dedication to the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve is credit upon himself, the National Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve and United States Secretary of Defense.

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, Fred Godec, Col. Troy Fink, Minnesota ESGR State Chair Chad Sackett.
(Photo courtesy of Larry Helzene)