Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Hawaii, held its Annual Awards Banquet on the evening of July 17, 2010 at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki.  This event brought together employers, military leaders, civic leaders and ESGR volunteers to recognize and honor employers supportive of our men and women serving in the Guard and Reserve. 

The program included recognition of Hawaii’s 2010 Freedom Award nominees and the presentation of Above and Beyond awards to Patterson Dental, Ferguson Enterprises, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and Matson Navigation Company.  Pro Patria awards were presented to Hawaii’s two finalists in the 2010 Freedom Award nominations, Tesoro Corporation Hawaii and the Hawaii State Government. 

Presenting the awards were Maj. Gen. (Ret.) A.P. “Putt” Richards, outgoing State Chair for ESGR Hawaii, and Brigadier General Ann Greenlee, ESGR Hawaii Executive Director.  General Richards punctuated the occasion by announcing Hawaii State Government as a 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award winner, one of only fifteen employers nationwide receiving this distinguished honor.