Patriot Awards Recognize Farm Bureau, IAA Support to Military Spouse

Farm Bureau President, IAA Supervisor Honored at Award Presentation Ceremonies April 19

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Illinois Agricultural Association supervisor, Susan Moore, shakes hands with Illinois ESGR Committee member, Kent Sunderland, as he presents her with the Patriot Award.

BLOOMINGTON, IL (04/22/2011)(readMedia)-- Illinois Farm Bureau president, Phillip Nelson, and Illinois Agricultural Association supervisor, Susan Moore, were honored with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award April 19 for the outstanding support they have shown to the wife of an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier and IAA employee. Nelson and Moore were nominated for the Patriot Award by employee and Illinois Guard spouse, Heather Combs, for the support she received while her husband, Staff Sgt. Kyle Combs, was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of a Bilateral Embedded Support Team.

"Susan hired me in the early stages of our deployment. Although I had not fully earned the right to flexibility due to my lack of time with the company, she still encouraged me and worked with me when it came to staying connected to my husband during this time," said Combs about Moore, her supervisor.

"It has been a pleasure to work for a corporation that practices such devotion toward service members and their families. I believe that this type of dedication begins with company leadership" said Combs about Farm Bureau and its leader, Nelson. "The president and his board of directors have made a significant effort to accommodate individuals connected to the military by establishing a military support committee."

In addition to the Patriot Award presentations, Nelson took the opportunity to publicly renew Farm Bureau and IAA support to the men, women and families of the National Guard and Reserve by resigning a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve during the April 19 board of directors meeting.

"On behalf of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, the honorable Dennis McCarthy, Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve, I would like to thank president Nelson for signing this Statement of Support to renew the Farm Bureau's and IAA's already strong commitment to our Guardsmen, Reservists and families," said Dr. Michael Ayers, Illinois ESGR Committee 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 Ayers. "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 Farm Bureau and IAA."