Angel Diaz, owner of La Reine Chicken Shack, was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee serving in the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING), according to a press release issued Friday by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency.
Maj. Gen. Renaldo Rivera, adjutant general of the VING, as well as representatives of ESGR were on hand to present Diaz and La Reine Chicken Shack with the award.
According to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Beresford Edwards, Virgin Islands ESGR chair, “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize 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. Diaz was nominated for being highly supportive of the Virgin Islands National Guard by Spc. Felicia Herman, a long time employee and VING member. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
“This (La Reine Chicken Shack) is my home and I am happy for this award,” said Diaz. “She (Herman) has been working with us since high school and now she is working in the National Guard.”
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, call Lt. Col. (Ret.) Beresford Edwards, Virgin Islands ESGR chair at 277-9396 or visit www.ESGR.mil.