Patriot Award Recognizes Police Chief's Support To Military

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Stanley Zielinski (left), Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair, presents Robert Williams, Chief of the Springfield Police Department with the ESGR Patriot Award in recognition of Williams’ support.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Springfield Police Chief, Robert Williams, was presented with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriotic Employer Award July 8 for his outstanding support to officers in the department who also serve their country in the National Guard and Reserve. Williams received the Patriot Award based on the nomination of Illinois Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Brandon Golden.

"Currently there are three officers who have been on "road to war" training for two-and-a-half years, requiring the department to make sacrifices to fulfill manning obligations," said Golden in his nomination of Williams. "The department and its supervisor chain of command has been very supportive of our training needs and are willing to assist in any way possible during our deployment to Afghanistan. The department has provided exceptional support to its officers serving dual roles as Citizen Soldiers in the armed forces."

Golden is member of a small agricultural development team comprised of members of the Illinois National Guard currently serving in Afghanistan as advisors to the Afghan government.In addition to the Patriot Award presentation, Williams took the opportunity to publicly renew the Springfield Police Department's support to the men, women and families of the National Guard and Reserve by resigning a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

"On behalf of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and the men and women serving our nation in the National Guard and Reserve, I would like to congratulate Chief Williams on receiving the Patriot Award and thank him for signing this Statement of Support to renew the department's already strong commitment to our Guardsmen, Reservists and families," said Stanley Zielinski, Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair. "By resigning a Statement of Support, you are acknowledging the continued importance of service in the National Guard and Reserve to the defense of our nation."

"The continuing support of employers is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve," said Zielinski. "Our Guardsmen and Reservists would not be able to continue to serve in uniform, if not for the support they and their family members receive from employers like the Chief Williams and the Springfield Police Department."

Photo Caption: Stanley Zielinski (left), Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair, presents Robert Williams, Chief of the Springfield Police Department with the ESGR Patriot Award in recognition of Williams' outstanding support of members of the department who also serve the nation in the National Guard and Reserve. Receipt of the Patriot Award is based solely on the nomination of a Guard or Reserve service member or spouse to recognize their employer.