History was made in Clemson as three Public Works employees received the prestigious ESGR Patriot Award, a recognition of their outstanding support for National Guard and Reserve employees. Among those honored were Cody Lingefelt, Mitchell Swaney, and Bradley Whitaker. The City of Clemson also received the Above and Beyond Award, further solidifying its commitment to those who serve.
The Patriot Award, presented by the Employer Support Of The Guard And Reserve (ESGR), a Department Of Defense office, honors individual supervisors who demonstrate extraordinary support to their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. This support can range from flexible scheduling and time off for deployments to providing support for families during military service. It's incredibly rare for three individuals from one employer to receive this honor.
The City of Clemson was also presented with the Above and Beyond Award, a testament to its commitment to exceeding the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment And Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This award acknowledges employers who provide additional, non-mandated benefits to their Guard and Reserve employees, such as differential pay and extended health benefits.
ESGR, established in 1972, works to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.