Ambulance district to receive Patriot Award

Administrators of Vernon County Ambulance District have been chosen to be honored by the Department of Defense for their extraordinary support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves, according to a press release from the Missouri State ESGR Committee

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the DOD, announced today that VCAD Director James McKenzie and Assistant Director Leland Splitter will each be honored with a Patriot Award during a ceremony to be held at 7 p.m. on May 24, at the company headquarters at 515 East Walnut, Nevada.

The Patriot Award ceremony and presentation will be conducted during a regular board meeting in recognition of the extraordinary support of its employees and family members of those that serve in the Missouri National Guard and Reserve.

The company was nominated for being highly supportive of its military reserve component members by employee Justin Hueston, who is in the Kansas Army National Guard. Hueston is a specialist in the 1161 Forward Support Company in Hutchinson, Kan. Since joining his civilian employer, his supervisors have gone "above and beyond" to remove any conflicts caused by his membership in the military, according to Hueston.

They understand the training and scheduling requirements of the military and show their complete support and encouragement. Hueston says they are true heroes to him and he wanted them recognized by presenting them with a Patriot Award for their interest in his well being as an employee. He knows that not all reservists enjoy this level of support from their civilian employer.

According to Brig. Gen. Tracy Beckette, (ret.) ESGR Missouri state chair, "The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation's call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and reserve units."

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws and resolves conflict between employers and service members.