According to an article from the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR):
Eric Nordman a supervisor at Toll Gas and Welding Company recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employee serving in the Army National Guard.
Although the nominator of the award, Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel Benson was not present, Benson was appreciative of the support, assistance and care packages he received from his Toll Gas and Welding Company supervisor Eric Nordman and his team while on deployment.
Benson especially wanted to honor Nordman with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award because he deployed 11 times previously for state active duty during local Minnesota civil unrest.
The presentation was set up as a total surprise. Jack J. Grams, Minnesota ESGR Ombudsman and Awards Director, was introduced as a person seeking employment. He presented the Patriot Award during their Christmas luncheon with over a dozen employees attending.
In addition to presenting a Patriot Award, Toll Gas and Welding Company signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:
- We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
- We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
- We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.
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.
This year, ESGR celebrates 50 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs of volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.
