Guam-CNMI ESGR State Committee honors employers

BARRIGADA, Guam—The Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Committee, a Department of Defense program, proudly honored employers who go above and beyond in supporting their National Guard and Reserve employees. The 16th Annual Employer Awards Ceremony took place on Aug. 29, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Guam, recognizing the unwavering dedication and patriotism of 22 employers across Guam and the CNMI who were nominated for the prestigious 2024 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The nominated employers exemplify the vital role that supportive workplaces play in empowering Guard and Reserve members, who are often called to duty alongside their active-duty counterparts, whether in times of peace, crisis, or war. ESGR’s awards acknowledge these organizations for their exceptional commitment to service members and their families.

Among the awards presented, the Pro Patria Award, the highest State-level recognition, was given to three exemplary employers who have adopted policies that significantly support their Guard and Reserve employees, enabling them to fulfill their military duties with greater ease. This year’s honorees include:

United Airlines Guam in the large business category

Pacific Engineering Group and Services, LLC in the small business category

Department of Corrections in the government category

The Pro Patria Award, derived from the Latin phrase meaning “For One’s Country,” symbolizes an employer’s exceptional patriotism and dedication to the national defense mission.

Through ceremonies such as this, the Guam-CNMI ESGR State Committee aims to highlight the critical role of supportive employers and the profound impact they have on our community and national security. These awards serve as a tribute to employers who embody the spirit of patriotism and are dedicated to ensuring that their Guard and Reserve employees can serve our country with pride.

The second highest state-level award, the Above and Beyond Award, goes to seven deserving employers’ who have supported the patronage and service to their service member employees and their families. They are:

CNMI Workforce Investment Agency, CNMI Department of Labor

U.S. Army’s Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji

DZSP21, LLC

Guam Fire Department, Government of Guam

Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Tiyan High School, Guam Department of Education

U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands

The Most Supportive Award was presented to 12 employers for their outstanding support and patronage to their service members and their families. They are:

Andersen Elementary School, Department of Defense Education Activity

Defense Commissary Agency CDC Guam

Cosmos Distributing Co. Ltd.

Guam Regional Medical City

Hawthorne Cat

JP Torres Success Academy, Guam Department of Education

Little Ones Childcare Center

Napa Auto Parts

Naval Base Guam Security

Office of the Attorney General of Guam, Government of Guam

SET Electric, Inc.

U.S. Attorney’s Office for Districts of Guam and CNMI

The Seven Seals Award is presented to individual(s) or organization(s) for their achievement, initiative, or support of the ESGR mission, to include the efforts toward the more than 2,300 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the nation and on our islands on a daily basis.

This year’s eight recipients are:

1. Senator Joe S. San Agustin, 37th Guam Legislature

2. General Mark W. Siekman, Commanding General, 9th Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve

3. Captain Nicholas Simmons, Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam

4. Lieutenant Commander Brian Matic, Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve Center, Guam

5. Edward Untalan, executive vice president and Guam-CNMI Region manager; First Hawaiian Bank

6. Irene Mafnas, vice president Operations, Guam-CNMI Region; First Hawaiian Bank;

7. Vickie Izuka, vice president and Saipan area manager, First Hawaiian Bank

8. Daniel Aquino, special assistant, Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs

The Spirit of Volunteerism Award, also known as the Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizes the volunteer(s) who displayed the highest level of volunteer service, continued quality service highlighting patriotism, good citizenship, and public responsibility.

The 2024 Spirit of Volunteerism Award is given to retired U.S. Army Major General Benny M. Paulino, vice chair, Guam-CNMI Committee.

The Spirit of Volunteerism Award for 2023 was given to Dina San Nicolas, training director, Guam-CNMI Committee since the award was not presented last year.

Guam’s first James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism National Award was presented to retired U.S. Army Major General Benny M. Paulino, vice chair, Guam-CNMI Committee for his outstanding service to ESGR and the Department of Defense. This award is the highest National award given to a State Committee volunteer for sustained quality service as a volunteer over a substantial period of years. The award highlights patriotism, good citizenship and public responsibility, often achieved by heroic efforts and great personal sacrifice, sustained exceptional and superior performance of volunteer duties across a broad spectrum of committee activities for a minimum period of five years.

ESGR has the unique characteristic for a government organization of relying on nearly 2,300 volunteers across 54 state committees to carry out local engagement with Service members, employers, and to conduct informal mediation between civilian employers and Service members when issues arise related to military service.

At the award ceremony, Cathyann C. Gogue, Guam-CNMI ESGR State chair, expressed her appreciation for the honorees, stating, “The employers recognized at this event have gone beyond what is legally required, offering additional benefits and personal support to their service member employees and their families, especially during deployments. This dedication is why these employers were nominated by their service member employees for these prestigious awards.”

The Guam-CNMI ESGR State Committee extends heartfelt congratulations to retired Major General Paulino for his remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to ESGR’s mission.

Our nation has relied heavily on the National Guard and Reserve since 9-11 and our local communities rely heavily on our local citizen warriors in times of natural disasters. The support and sacrifices from the civilian employer is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of Guard and Reserve, and our national security.

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, contact Angel Vibar at (671) 344-1283 or visit www.esgr.mil. (PR)