188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman recognizes civilian employer with Patriot Award

  • Published
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced April 19, 2012, that Craig Parsley with Klein Tools was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserves.

"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," said Jon Woodham, ESGR Arkansas Employer Relations specialist.

Parsley was nominated by Staff Sgt. Eric Waterbury with the 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"Craig Parsley was nominated for being highly supportive of the National Guard," Woodham said. "Supportive supervisors and employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's Guard and Reserve Units."

Waterbury said Parsley's support allowed him to continue to be a valuable member of the 188th Fighter Wing.

"In the past, Craig has expressed and shown support of me being a part of the National Guard," Waterbury said. "Some employers could find a different reason to get rid of an employee when the real reason is that they are gone too much serving their country; this would never happen with my boss. He stays very interested in my training and the fact that I am in the Air National Guard. He would do anything he could for me to keep my position."

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserves continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America's borders and beyond, ESGR continues to function as a vital resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law and resolves conflict through mediation.

More information about ESGR Employer Outreach programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil and www.facebook.com/ArkansasESGR. Interested individual can also call Jon Woodham at 479-459-3342 or Richard Green at 501-212-4096.