HOOPER –Hoegemeyer Hybrids of Hooper was recently the recipient of a Patriot Award, presented by the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, in recognition of extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Staff Sergeant Matt Thoene of Hooper, a member of the Army National Guard 189th Transportation Company unit in Norfolk, nominated the company for its support of the Guard and Reserve, and of him and his family.

When Thoene was deployed in Iraq, his colleagues at Hoegemeyer would check up on his wife to make sure everything was okay at their home. They also sent care packages to Thoene. In addition to granting leave for annual training, the company allowed Thoene to take extra training classes so he could advance through the ranks of the National Guard and be promoted.

Presenting the award was Steve Tellatin, training  director, NE ESGR Committee.

According to Walter Zink II, ESGR Nebraska Chair, “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. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation.