NORTH ADAMS, MA. September 1, 2010. Although only open for one year, the owners of Big Shirl's Kitchen in this Northeastern MA town have already demonstrated their support of our Nation's Guard and Reserve members. One of their employees is Kurt Christian. In addition to working at the eatery, Kurt is a Sergeant (SGT) in the Army National Guard. With all the obstacles that are encountered with the start up of a new business, Big Shirl's owners, Renee and Mark Lapier, have not allowed them to diminish their strong support of SGT Christian's military career! it has been difficult to get the facility going and now operating smoothly while accommodating the sometimes short notice and long periods of Kurt's absences due to military requirements.  

In his Patriot Award nomination narrative SGT Christian wrote that Renee and Mark were always asking if there was anything he or his unit needed while he was deployed. Also, before he left they went out of their way to make sure he had ample time to spend with his family.  

Upon receiving the award Mrs. Lapier said how proud she and her husband were of Kurt and feel that he is the one who deserves any award, not them. She then signed a Statement of Support as customers and her two sons, Spencer and Hunter, looked on.  

Big Shirl's Kitchen opened during the summer in 2009 and is named for Mark's mother ("For her big personality"). They serve breakfast and lunch in the family-run diner created in the former J. T. Bus Lines office on Massachusetts Avenue in North Adams.  

  
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 Field Office has more than 40 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier'. On hand representing MAESGR were Ombudsman Director and Western MA Area Chair Earl Bonett and Staff Member Bill Hebert.  

         

    Left to Right: Earl Bonett, Hunter Lapier, Renee Lapier and Spencer Lapier

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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.