Army Salutes Homestead Supervisor

Kimberly Harris Rodriguez, Supervisor, Customer Services, was the recipient of the ESGR Patriot Award at a ceremony recently held at the Homestead Post Office. ESGR Area Chair Brian Reynolds presented the award to Rodriguez in front of approximately 30 postal employees who then congratulated her.

The Patriot Award is the first in a series of Awards by ESGR presented to an individual supervisor at a National Guard or Reserve member’s civilian workplace. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Rodriguez (left, holding plaque) was nominated for the prestigious ESGR/Department of Defense Patriot Award by Army Reserve Sergeant Giovanni Trejos (front, kneeling) who is with the Army Reserve’s 7217
Medical Support Unit based at the Martinez Reserve Center in Perrine. In his nomination request for Rodriguez, Sergeant Trejos wrote that Rodriguez has continuously supported his participation as a member of the United States Army Reserve and always arranges his schedule so he can attend drill weekends, annual training and scheduled doctor’s appointments when needed.

ESGR Area Chair Brian Reynolds (left) and Sergeant Trejos (right) joined Homestead Postmaster Ilia Gonzalez (center), who signed a statement that recommitted the Postal Service’s support of the Guard and Reserve and its obligation to the Citizen Warriors who also serve as their employees.