OAK BLUFFS ON CAPE COD, MA. May 1, 2010. On a perfect spring day at the Otis ANG Base, the leader of the Oak Bluffs Police Department, Chief Erik Blake, was honored with the Patriot and the Above and Beyond Awards. The presentation took place at the 102d Intelligence Wing facilities at Otis ANG Base. On hand for the presentation were Colonel (COL) Anthony Schiavi, Commander 102nd IW and several members of the Command Staff of the 102nd IW.   

Chief Blake was nominated for the honors by Major David Berube, Chaplain, MA ANG. In his nomination of Chief Blake, Chaplain Berube wrote: "My recently completed  4 month deployment to the AF Mortuary Affairs Ops Center at Dover AFB came with relatively short notice. Chief Blake was, as usual, exceptionally supportive and assured me that if a pay gap occurred that he would make up the difference. This is consistent with how Chief Blake has supported my entire military career while employed at the Oak Bluffs Police Dept. He always communicates a great pride and genuine support of my military service. In addition, he was a strong advocate for increasing the number of paid military leave days included in our department's collective bargaining agreement. He and the other members of the department display great patriotism and support for me, our military and our nation's values. Every member of the Guard & Reserve should benefit from the support of this type of leadership and this type of organization in their civilian life."

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the USERRA law of 1994 and resolving conflicts through mediation. The MA Committee has more than 40 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier". On hand representing MAESGR were South Eastern Area Chair and Senior Ombudsman Joachim-Ingo "Ski" Borowski, and Program Support Specialist David St. Germain.

  

Left to Right:  Chaplain Berube, Police Chief Blake and MAESGR’S Mr. J. I. “Ski” Borowski

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Left to Right:  Chaplain Berube and Police Chief Blake _____________________________________________________________________________

Chief Blake, "Ski" Borowski and members of the 102nd IM staff _______________________________________________________________________________

If you would like nominate your Employer for an award, call the MA Committee for ESGR at 508-233-7249 or go to www.esgr.mil