Shaw employee honored with Patriot Award

Published 3:57 pm Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) committee members, retired Col. David Young and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Barney Kennemer visited Plant WD in Dalton to present Erik Roberson with the Patriot Award. He was nominated by Dane Snowden, an electrician at Plant WD, who also serves in the National Guard.  

The Patriot Award recognizes companies and supervisors who support their employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves.

The ESGR, an extension of the Department of Defense, promotes employer support for the Guard and Reserve by advocating initiatives, recognizing support, increasing awareness and resolving conflicts between employers and service members. Award nominations are made during the pre-mobilization phase, when soldiers are getting ready to be deployed. They go through certain in-process stations before active duty. One of these stations is ESGR, during which they are asked if they would like to nominate their company or employer for the Patriot Award.

Snowden, a lieutenant colonel, battalion commander in the National Guard, nominated Roberson for his continued support during Snowden’s transition from active duty back into the office. Roberson said the main way he accommodated Snowden was to ensure that he was brought up to speed on anything he missed while away.

After his last deployment, Roberson made sure Snowden “had time to get re-acclimatized to his job. That’s a big deal for someone in his role as an electrical technician,” Roberson adds.

Snowden will be deployed for the third time in January 2012.

Roberson, who has been a Shaw employee for 27 years and is currently an electrical supervisor at Plant WD, was speechless when presented with the award, which includes a certificate and lapel pin. Roberson said he couldn’t believe he was “being awarded for doing the ‘right’ thing.”

“In my opinion, the award is for the entire company,” Roberson said. “I am just the one who has the plaque on the wall.”   

Young, who served with Snowden in the Georgia Army National Guard, was delighted to be a part of the awards presentation. ESGR committee members present these awards strictly as volunteer work, considering it an honor to acknowledge those who support service men and women.

“Doing something like this really means a lot to me, and I hope it means as much to the recipients,” Young said.

He explained that they witness different levels of reaction and appreciation when presenting the awards; and in the case of Roberson’s nomination, he is happy “it is getting the recognition it deserves.”

Young recalled that numerous awards have been presented to Shaw supervisors, adding that “Shaw has a good record of supporting their employees in the National Guard and Reserves.”

Roberson cites that even Snowden’s fellow employees stayed in touch with him via email during his deployment.

“I know that was a big deal to Dane and am proud that they took time to stay in contact with him,” Roberson said.

Young explains that when time is taken out to recognize those who have been presented with the Patriot Award, it makes the ESGR volunteers proud.

“We don’t get paid a dime for this,” Young said. “So when companies like Shaw place such importance on the award, it is really meaningful and makes it all worthwhile.”

Rachel Fisher, Shaw’s Plant WD manager said, “We thank Erik Roberson for serving as an example for extraordinary support of employees serving active duty, and for embodying Shaw’s dedication to its associates. We furthermore extend our respectful gratitude to Dane Snowden and all of the soldiers and military personnel who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety of our nation.”