BOSTON MA. 11 FEBRUARY, 2009. The Massachusetts Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (MAESGR), a U.S. Department of Defense organization, presented The Bull and Finch Pub known throughout the United States as "Cheers, the place where everyone knows your name," Patriotic Employer and Above & Beyond Award. This prestigious award honors companies that go above and beyond federal requirements in their support of employees called into active military duty by the National Guard or Reserve. The world famous 84 Beacon Street Pub near The Boston Common, was presented the Patriotic Employer award by Mr. Ken Howes, father of the nominator SPC Kevin Howes, Massachusetts Army National Guard, who is currently deployed to Iraq. The award was presented to Mr. Billy DeCain, General Manager and the entire Management Team of Cheers.

What set "Cheers" apart from most is the fact that SPC Howes is a part-time bartender at the pub. Approximately five weeks prior to his deployment to Iraq, Kevin arrived at "Cheers"  for his usual shift.  When he walked in, Kevin was greeted by 200 of his friends, relatives, co-workers, and members of his unit.  Cheers had shut down for the evening to insure that the "Twice a Citizen" would have a going away party he would never forget.  After the initial surprise wore off, he was presented with a card with $200 in cash and included a $250 gift card to a major Boston Steakhouse.  Next, Cheers presented Kevin and his significant other with an all expenses paid,  three day vacation in Vermont. If that were not enough, they followed that up with two impossible to find front-row tickets to the last Yankees versus Red Sox game of 2008.

Kevin was overwhelmed and so were the folks at Mass. ESGR.  Cheers was presented an Above & Beyond Award for their outstanding efforts on behalf of their military member employee.  The organization had previously signed a Statement of Support.  Ken Howes spoke on behalf of his son and stressed how wonderful "Cheers" had been to his son and how no one could ask for more than the pub did for Kevin. The management team simply stated, "We only did what we felt in our hearts was the right thing to do for a terrific, well-liked employee!"

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. On hand representing  MAESGR were member Mr. Wayne Theroux,  Eastern Ma area Chair, Mr. John Pelose, Program Support Specialist, Mr.  Dave St. Germain, member Gerry Hayes, and Awards director, Mr. Roger Fortin.