Army Reserve Vet Honors His Employer

Eric Webb, Blake Baida, and Representative Kris Lytton (WA 40th District)

— from Blake Baida —

I honorably served active duty at Joint Base Lewis McChord as a prosecuting paralegal for the US Army, before applying for employment at the Orcas Island School District. I made the choice to enlist in the US Army Reserves in October of 2013 only a month after starting my job at the school. I wanted to continue to serve my country and since my employment at Orcas Island School District, I have been given the flexibility and support by the District that is required to fulfill that commitment. They are one of the largest employers on the island and a wonderful employer at that. I felt that they should receive acknowledgment for what they do for me and that they have a school district policy 5407 going above and beyond what is required of them by law.

The ESGR Patriot Award was created by Employer Support of the Guard and  Reserves to publicly recognize American Employers who provide extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before me, that have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.

The Orcas Island School District and their current human resources policies ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Law.

This Patriot Award recognizes my employer for his support in my employment at the Orcas Island Public Schools and my commitment to serve our country and I am pleased to present Eric Webb with this prestigious award.