Oklahoma City, OK - Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employee was honored Aug. 8, 2011, with the Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that promotes cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and National Guard or Reserve Component military service members.

Mr Jerry Hyden, Field Office Director, from Oklahoma City, OK, was presented the award by retired Command Sergeant Major Marcus B. Whitt II, volunteer, and HUD employee, for the Oklahoma ESGR Committee.

“Thanks for being such a great supporter of those HUD employees that serve in the Guard and Reserve,” said Whitt during a presentation in front of 12 HUD department heads during the Field Office Director’s weekly staff meeting.  “You have always made sure that those employees that are serving or have served in our Nation’s Armed Forces are recognized for their service.  It is now time to recognize you for all that you have done for us.”  

The Patriot Award honors civilian supervisors for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve service members by presenting them with a framed certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Nominations must come from a National Guard or Reserve service member or a family member.

“As a prior service member of the U.S. Navy and Oklahoma National Guard, I know how difficult deployments can be on our employees and their families” Jerry said.  “I want to make sure that our deployed service members don’t have to worry about their jobs.  With a son presently serving  in Afghanistan with the Oklahoma National Guard, the stress for those of us left behind is astronomical.  We need to ensure that serving our Country is as worry-free as possible.  The HUD family here in Oklahoma City presently has a member deployed in Kuwait with the Oklahoma National Guard, SSG DeCarla Steele and we must remember her too.” 

Mr. Hyden was nominated for the ESGR Patriot Award by Oklahoma National Guard Master Sergeant and HUD employee Randy Allen.  Mr. Allen is now retired from the National Guard and participated in the presentation.   
The Patriot Award is a means for citizen soldiers to publically acknowledge civilian supervisors, like Jerry, who go the extra step to ensure that employees are taken care of - whether they are fulfilling their civilian duties or obligation in their part-time or full-time mobilized military capacity.

Shown in photo; Left to right, retired CSM Marcus B. Whitt II, Patriot Award recipient, Jerry Hyden, and retired Master Sergeant Randy Allen.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government. Although its beginnings were in the House and Home Financing Agency, it was founded as a Cabinet department in 1965, as part of the "Great Society" program of President Lyndon Johnson, to develop and execute policies on housing and metropolises.  The department was established on September 9, 1965, when Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act[1] into law.