Fort Smith, Arkansas – The Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Vickie Russell, Laboratory Supervisor of United Blood Services, was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of her employee who serves in the Arkansas National Guard.

According to Richard Green, ESGR Arkansas Program Specialist, “Vickie Russell was nominated for being highly supportive of the National Guard Service by her Reserve Component Employee, Joshua Cummins. Joshua is a Private First Class with the 142nd Field Artillery, Arkansas Army National Guard.  Supportive supervisors like Vickie Russell are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”

Pictured in the photo at the United Blood Services facility in Fort Smith (l to R) is Joshua Cummins, Vickie Russell and Richard Green. Richard is a former employee of United Blood Services and now with ESGR. He worked with Vickie while at United Blood Services.