Local pharmacist awarded Patriot Award for support of Reservist

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jon Quinlan
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
A local Del City, Okla. employer of a Tinker Air Force Base Reservist was surprised Thursday, Feb. 5 with a presentation of the Patriot Award from the Oklahoma Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office and a local Air Force Reservist. 
  
The Patriot Award is awarded to employers who go above and beyond to support the National Guard or Reserve military service of their employees. 

Pharmacist and owner of Lassiter Drug Store, John Lassiter was taken by surprise when the group arrived unannounced in his store to present the award and to thank him for his support of Air Force Reserve. 

"This is overwhelming.  I will remember this forever," Lassiter said after the presentation of the award.  "This award will be front and center."

Master Sgt. Zachary Walker, 72nd Aerial Port Squadron, nominated his boss for the award after his employer supported him through five deployments and other reserve commitments during his last six years of working at the store.

"It's awesome to work in a place that really supports our reserve service," Walker said.  "They have always supported me and my family, especially when I was deployed." 

On Walker's last deployment to Afghanistan the store got together and created a life size cardboard cutout of Sergeant Walker.  They then presented the display to Walkers wife for the couple's anniversary.  The employees made sure they could present the display while Sergeant Walker was watching on-line via a commercial video call from his deployed location.
  
"That is just one example...my supervisor is highly supportive of my reserve service, even when I'm called on short notice," Walker said. 

The Chairman of the Oklahoma ESGR office, retired Navy Capt. Gary Foster and Master Sgt. Walker's squadron commander, Lt. Col Stan Young helped present the award.  Lassiter also signed a statement of support displaying his commitment to the men and women in the Guard and Reserve.

John Lassiter served in the Army for two years and said he has always supported and felt close to Tinker Air Force Base members, even when he was young many years ago delivering newspapers on base.

"I understand the support needed for those who sacrifice in uniform.  They deserve it, they have earned it, and it just feels like it's the right thing to do," Lassiter said.

The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers

The ESGR has many more awards for supportive employers with a nomination process that can be completed online at http://esgr.mil/Service-Members-Family/Nominate-your-Employer.aspx.