BROOKINGS –  South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced Bart Sweebe, Brookings County Detention Center, and Russ Chavez with SDSU Veterans Affairs in Brookings were honored with Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of their service member employees.

The Patriot Award, created by ESGR, publicly recognizes 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. 

Sweebe was nominated for being supportive of his employee, Samantha Williams, who serves in the ARNG 740th Transportation Co. Williams said she nominated Sweebe for the award to thank him for his support of her duties in the National Guard, including flexible schedules, time off for inspections and training time, and allowing her time to care for her military family, as well as her family at home. Sweebe was nominated as he completely gives his employee the time off to prepare and attend her National Guard duties, thanking her for serving.  

Sweebe stated that Williams is an exceptional employee, always willing to go the extra mile, calling to attention detail and ideas, this he feels comes from her military training.

Chavez was nominated for being supportive of his employee, Santana Hanson  who serves in the ARNG 1742nd. Hanson said she nominated Chavez for the award to thank him for his support of her duties in the National Guard, including flexible schedules, time off for inspections and training time, and allowing her time to care for her military family, as well as her family at home. 

For more information about ESGR outreach programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities visit www.ESGR.mil.