On May 17 at the Durant Independent School District Assembly, Athletic Director Tony Tubbs received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award recently for the extraordinary support he provides his employee Tanner Dupree, a Captain in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in Oklahoma City.
“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Ray Knapp, of the Oklahoma Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
“National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said Knapp. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”
“Not only does this supervisor deserve recognition, but my entire organization deserves it. Over the past eighteen years, the Durant ISD has supported my efforts in the Oklahoma Army National Guard without fail or question. During deployments, training, or courses, my school has always picked up the work I left behind and supported my service. I am lucky to have the support system that I am surrounded by.
ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.
For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 3364590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/OK.
