Hot Springs Village, Arkansas – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that the Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its Pastor who serves in the United States Air Force Reserve.

According to Richard Green, ESGR Arkansas Program Specialist, “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals or establishments 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.  The Christ of the Hills  United Methodist Church was nominated for being highly supportive of their Senior Pastor, Walter Smith, a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, who is serving as the Wing Chaplain with the 332 Air Expeditionary Wing, United States Air Force Reserve. Chaplain Smith is currently deployed to Iraq. Support like Pastor Smith is receiving from his Church is 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 provides education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.  More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Richard Green at 501-212-4096.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
1555 Wilson Blvd., Suite 319, Arlington, VA 22209
800-336-4590  www.esgr.mil