DE Bio members honored by National Guard

For Immediate Release Date: 20 April, 2023

Media Advisory

Delaware ESGR Annual Employer Recognition Banquet

Who: Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

What: Delaware ESGR Awards Ceremony

Where: Christiana Hilton

When: April 19, 2023

The Delaware Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve held its annual awards celebration for Delaware employers who provide a lynchpin for our national defense by sustaining our citizen-soldiers. This year’s ceremony was in the form of a banquet. A total of seventy-five people attended the event capped by the highest award for the 2023 Freedom Award Nominee; the Delaware Department of Corrections. A complete list of awards and honorees are attached.

Featured speakers included LTC Agata Zana the Northeast Region ESGR Chief, as well as the Delaware Assistant Adjutant General for Army, BG Carl Danberg. Special
Guest was Lt. Ray Firmani, a 101year-old World War II combat veteran.

If you’d like more information about this event please contact Ms. Christine Starr, Delaware ESGR Committee at 302-326-7608

ESGR is a Department of Defense program 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 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/DE

The 2023 Delaware ESGR Awards

The Patriot Award

There are all kinds of official policies, procedures, laws and regulations surrounding employer/employee rights regarding service in the National Guard or Reserve. They offer protections and encourage communications when priorities sometimes collide. But as we all know, they often don’t work without the active encouragement and cooperation between the employee and employer, especially at the supervisory level.

The official standards often describe a minimum level of compliance, Sometimes, that is not enough. Without the active participation on both sides of the equation the civilian and military vectors of our Guardsmen and Reservist can collide.

If you have a boss or supervisor who has gone the extra mile, we have a way to express our gratitude. It is called the Patriot Award. It’s for those folks who are on America’s defense team, even though they don’t wear a uniform.

This year’s Patriot Award was given to:

Michael Oals, Clarios LLC
Michael Shea, McDermott Will & Emory LLP
Mark Malone, Frederick Ford
Ruth Agular, ChristianaCare
Albert P. Klerein, Eagle Erectors Inc.
Michelle Lynch, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Dan Mayhart, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Ronnette Finch, Astra Zeneca
Brendan McCarron, Delaware Probation and Parole
Col Joseph Block, New Castle County Police
Gregory Davis, Astra Zeneca

Seven Seals Award

The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission, to include the efforts of the more than 4,500 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis.

The Seven Seals Award is awarded to:

Delaware Dept of Correction
Waste Master Solutions
DE Society for Human Resource Mgt. (SHRM)
Bloom Energy
Astra Zeneca-Newark
Astra Zeneca-Wilmington
G. Fedale Roofing & Siding
Siemens Healthineers
Clarios
Eagle Erectors
McDermott, Will & Emery LLP
Pat's Pizza

Pro Patria Award


ESGR’s Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR State Committee to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in their state or territory. Recipients have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. This is the highest-level award that may be bestowed by an ESGR State Committee.

Employers who have been honored with the Above and Beyond Award, who have had at least one supervisor or other representative honored with a Patriot Award, and who have signed a Statement of Support are eligible for the Pro Patria Award.

The Pro Patria Award goes to:

New Castle County Government


2023 Freedom Award Nominee Public Sector

The Freedom Award is a national award granted to only a handful of organization each year. Our nominee this year did not make the cut, but nevertheless made a lasting contribution to the support to our Guardsmen and Reservists. We wanted to recognize their accomplishments at our Awards Banquet as our Delaware nominee for this prestigious award.


Delaware Department of Corrections