Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Volunteer Melissa Bruhl honored Thomas W. Taylor, RN of Compassionate Care Hospice with a Patriot Award, in recognition of extraordinary support of an employee’s spouse who serves in the National Guard and Reserve.  The presentation took place at the company’s worksite in Wilmington, DE.   The recipient was nominated by MSgt Daniel Pinkowski who serves in the 166th Airlift Wing at the Delaware Air National Guard.   Pinkowski stated in the nomination that his wife’s employer is highly supportive of service in the armed forces, but more importantly went above and beyond to support his wife, Elaine Pinkowski, during his deployments. 

Ms. Pinkowski commented in the nomination, “After my husband, Daniel, received the Hometown Hero award, he asked me to share a part of his award with my boss, Thomas W. Taylor, and to explain to him the reason being that - He is a Hero to him for the way he and all of the Compassionate Care Hospice team always looked after me each and every time he was away protecting our country."

According to Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR Executive Director, “the ESGR Patriot Award was created 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 our nation’s Guard and Reserve units.   Employers are nominated by their military employees”. 

About ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency with a mission to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service.  ESGR provides free education and consultation on USERRA law, and if necessary mediation for civilian employers of Guard and Reserve employees.   All Delaware employers are encouraged to sign their Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.  For more information on this, volunteering with DE ESGR, and our employer education programs, please contact Christine Kubik, Executive Director of the Delaware ESGR, at (302) 326-7582

PICTURE CAPTION
From left to right standing:  Melissa Bruhl, Thomas W. Taylor, Elaine Pinkowski, MSgt Daniel Pinkowski