77.8 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsMilitaryEvent Awards Supporters of National Guard and Reserve

Event Awards Supporters of National Guard and Reserve

ESGR Group: Awardees of the Virgin Islands Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve annual St. Croix Employer Awards and Recognition Dinner held at The Buccaneer, June 22. (L to R standing): Stanley S. Jones, Virgin Islands ESGR chairman; Abdul Ali, radio host; Holland Redfield, radio host; Dr. Dale Manuel, Patriot Award recipient; Barbara Peel and Bruce Gordon, Fish With a Vet; Tamara Gilbert and Ramsey Abdallah, Royal Furniture; Jenson LeBlanc, The Buccaneer; Col. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, adjutant general Virgin Islands National Guard and Command; Sgt. Maj Derwin Wesson, State Command sergeant major VING; Director Patrick Farrell, Virgin Islands Veterans Affairs; (seated L to R) Jessica Justin, VlNG; Shereen Grouby, VI-ESGR Public Affairs director; and Felicia Neale, VING.

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.

“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.

“Our, your, my, National Guard,” said Knox-Limbacker. “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.

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

Royal Furniture and Appliances, 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.

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. It offered its 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.

“ESGR is a DoD (Department of Defense) 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. “

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.