ESGR Washington

10/20/2026

Freedom Award nomination season is officially open!

The Secretary of War Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the U.S. Government to employers for their exceptional support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

If you serve in the National Guard or Reserve and have an employer who consistently supports your military commitments—whether through flexibility, understanding, or going the extra mile—nominate them for the Freedom Award and help recognize their outstanding support.

Your nomination helps share the story of employers who make a difference, celebrate their commitment, and highlight the meaningful impact they have on service members, their families, and the communities they serve.

Freedom Award nominations are open through December 31, 2026! Link for nomination forms is in the comments.

10/15/2026

Congratulations to Nicole Olson of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's St. Clair Hospital on receiving the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve .

Nicole was nominated by Washington National Guard Pfc. John Kimani, a Team Lead Patient Access Representative at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health who shared:

"Nicole is highly supportive and flexible in adjusting the schedule to accommodate my Army National Guard responsibilities."

The award was presented by Washington ESGR South Sound Area co-Chair Ohad Lowy at a staff meeting attended by 50 employees, including St. Clair Hospital President Matthew Metsker.

Thank you Nicole and the leadership at St. Clair Hospital for creating a workplace where employees can serve both their patients and their country.

09/29/2026

Washington ESGR recently recognized Leslie R. Walker M.D., chair of the UW Medicine - School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, with a Patriot Award for her outstanding support of United States Army Reserve Col. Taylor Sawyer, the Department of Pediatrics’ Division Chair and William Alan Hodson Endowed Chair of Neonatology.

In nominating Dr. Walker, Dr. Sawyer praised her professionalism, flexibility and genuine commitment as he prepares for an upcoming deployment. He noted that she has worked proactively to maintain continuity of clinical and administrative operations while ensuring that he can fulfill his military responsibilities.

“Her leadership reflects a deep respect for service members and a clear understanding of the importance of balancing military obligations with civilian responsibilities,” Dr. Sawyer wrote.

hashtag Employer Outreach Coordinator Wes Hilton presented the award. Washington ESGR volunteers Ohad Lowy, Morgan Zantua and Kate Orlando-Lowy also attended the presentation.

Congratulations to Dr. Walker, and thank you for supporting those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

University of Washington

09/15/2026

Nearly 100 percent of the U.S. Coast Guard’s expeditionary Port Security Units are staffed by reservists who may deploy worldwide with as little as 96 hours’ notice. Their ability to answer that call depends on supportive employers at home.

U.S. Coast Guard Reserve LTJG Kiana Sullenberger nominated four Lacey Fire District #3 leaders for ESGR Patriot Awards: Fire Chief Jennifer Schmidt, Battalion Chiefs Ryan Perz and Tim Hulse, and Lieutenant Martin Ranney.

Chief Schmidt supports a military-leave policy that allows service members to fulfill their obligations without penalty. Battalion Chiefs Perz and Hulse schedule military leave and arrange coverage, even on short notice. As Sullenberger wrote, “They make future and short notice adjustments to the schedule to ensure the service member does not have to worry about the gap while serving their country.”

Lieutenant Ranney adjusts training, testing and shift activities around deployments and activations, helping military members meet the requirements needed to advance in their fire-service careers.

Washington ESGR South Sound Area Co-Chair Ohad Lowy presented the awards.

Thank you to these outstanding leaders and the entire Lacey Fire District 3 team for supporting those who serve!

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

09/15/2026

Our volunteers supported three Yellow Ribbon events—two for the Washington Army National Guard and one for the Washington Air National Guard.

Yellow Ribbon events connect Guard and Reserve members and their families with important resources throughout the deployment cycle. They also give an opportunity to meet directly with service members, answer questions about civilian-employer support, and share information about USERRA.

Thank you to our volunteers who made it possible for Washington ESGR to be present at all three events!

Interested in supporting those who serve? Learn more about volunteering at www.esgr.mil.

Washington National Guard

09/08/2026

This Labor Day, we honor the employers and National Guard and Reserve service members whose partnership strengthens our workforce, our communities, and our national defense.

09/05/2026

Congratulations to Scott Reader of Rainier Woodworking Company on being presented the . Reader received the Patriot Award after being nominated by Washington National GuardSgt. 1st Class Alex Greenwood.

The Patriot Award recognizes employers who make it possible for soldierscitizen- to successfully balance thier military service and military careers. In nominating Reader Greenwood stated, regarding the support he has received as a Reserve Component soldier, "I was recently hired at Rainier Woodworking and since I've started, Scott has been extremely accommodating to my National Guard service. I still receive pay and benefits when I am on military time off. I have flying requirements that have to be met and there has been no push back on me needed time off. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity he has given me."

The award was presented by Washington ESGR South Sound Area co-Chair Ohad Lowy.

08/29/2026

Forty days of sustained wildfire support. Washington National Guard aviation crews have completed 2,044 water-bucket drops—delivering 1,943,269 gallons of water during 473.2 flight hours—while Guard members on the ground continue reinforcing fire lines, extinguishing hot spots and supporting local firefighting partners.

Missions of this length are possible not only because of the dedication of our citizen warriors, but also because of the employers who support them while they are away serving our communities.

Thank you to our Guard members, their families and their supportive employers.

08/27/2026

The U.S. Coast Guard Reserve is one of our nation’s most frequently mobilized Reserve forces, serving as the U.S. Coast Guard only dedicated surge force. When major disasters and national emergencies occur, Coast Guard reservists are often called in extraordinary numbers.

During the response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, 51.2% of the Selected Reserve was activated. In 2010, during the Haiti earthquake, Deepwater Horizon response and other operations, that number reached 58.1%. And during Operation Iraqi Freedom and other overseas contingency operations in 2003, an extraordinary 74.4% of the Coast Guard Selected Reserve was activated!

That level of service simply isn’t possible without supportive civilian employers.

Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was proud to recognize Olympia Fire Department Fire Chief Hillary Flowers and Battalion Chiefs Matt Schreck and Matt Gantenbein with the Patriot Award, following their nomination by Coast Guard Reserve Lt. j.g. Shanell Sullenberger, a fire fighter with .

As Lt. j.g. Sullenberger explained, when military duty calls, her chiefs “move people around to cover my shifts with flawless effort and never make me feel like a burden to the department.” She noted that even while the department is understaffed, their support of her military obligations is “outstanding and very comforting for me as a Coast Guardsman.”

For members of the Guard and Reserve, knowing their civilian employer has their back makes it possible to answer the call when our nation needs them.

Thank you, Olympia Fire Department, for supporting those who serve—and congratulations to Chief Flowers, Battalion Chief Schreck and Battalion Chief Gantenbein on their Patriot Awards!

City of Olympia - Government

08/15/2026