ESGR Recognizes National Guard Supporters

The Virgin Islands Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized National Guard supporters during its annual St. Croix Employer Awards and Recognition Dinner held at The Buccaneer, June 22, according to a recently issued release.

“It is always great to recognize all of the hard work that your particular organization has done to support our members of the Army and Air National Guard,” said Col. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, the adjutant general of the Virgin Islands National Guard. 

“We are the community; they are your community and without your support they cannot go out and do the great things we have asked them to do on a day-to-day basis — whether abroad or here in the community. Thank you” 

At the event the committee presented awards to individuals, organizations and businesses who touched the lives of guardsmen or assisted in the advancement of ESGR’s mission, the release said.

Businesses Royal Furniture and Appliances and 340 Crossfit were presented the Seven Seal award in recognition for their support to the Air National Guard. 

Royal Furniture, an employer of Army and Air guard members, was recognized for helping meet the needs of airmen after Hurricane Maria. Royal Furniture worked with a military provider to have two washer dryer combos purchased for the airmen. The sets provided the airmen with the ability to wash their clothes while working on territorial active duty orders, according to the release.

340 CrossFit was recognized for assisting the Air Guard in its efforts to improve the physical fitness of individual airmen in achieving their comprehensive airmen fitness goals. 340 offered their time and facility to train service members. 

Also receiving Seven Seals awards were organizations Fish with a Vet USVI and Proudly We Serve for their support of service members and veterans; Holland Redfield and Abdul Ali for their media support to the military members in the territory and VI ESGR; and individuals Felicia Neale, Jessica Justin, Seanise Jeffers, and Angelo Riddick for their support of the VI ESGR mission. 

“There are four categories of service,” said Col. Angelo Riddick, (ret.), guest speaker at the event, “the service member, family, community, and employer.” 

Each category was present at the event and represents a component of ESGR’s mission, according to the release.

“ESGR is a DoD activity and we are challenged to maintain very high standards and that is our goal,” said VI ESGR Chairman Stanley S. Jones. “To keep ESGR as a gold standard organization in this territory we ask your continued input and suggestions as together we keep the standards high.” 

“Thanks to the honorees, but most of all to the persons who brought their story to light; remember we all serve,” he concluded.