LINCOLN — Col. Dan Danaher of the Nebraska Army National Guard nominated his civilian employers at the Nebraska Department of Corrections for the ESGR Patriot Award.

Presentations were made by Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Zink, state chairman of the Nebraska Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve today (Wednesday, June 9) at the Department of Corrections Central Office in Lincoln. Receiving awards from Zink with Danaher looking on were Corrections Director Robert Houston, Dr. Randy Kohl and Dr. John Casebolt. Among others in attendance was Brig. Gen. Judd Lyons, Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard.

In his nomination of Houston, Kohl and Casebolt, Danaher wrote: “The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has been very supportive of my military commitment with the Nebraska Army National Guard. During my recent deployment to Afghanistan, the department back-filled my position in Health Services to assure continuity of care for the patients. My transition upon return to the department was seamless. This support starts at the highest administrative positions. As director of corrections, Mr. Robert Houston assures a working environment” in which National Guard and Reserve soldiers “can be employed full-time in addition to fulfilling their commitment to the Armed Services. Before, during and after my deployment, Dr. Casebolt and Dr. Kohl have always been 100 percent supportive to my family and me.”

Danaher said both men “go out of their way to acknowledge my service to others without ever complaining of the extra work it puts upon them. Dr. Casebolt is a great supervisor and patriot. This support is a tremendous benefit to all the citizen soldiers employed by the Department of Corrections and their families.”

Cutline info for group of five image — (from left) Houston, Zink, Kohl, Danaher, Lyons, Casebolt

ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve personnel. Please contact Executive Director William Nelson at 402-309-7105 or email william.nelson1@us.army.mil for more information on ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities.