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Eagle River Fire chief honored

AVON — In a recent ceremony during the monthly meeting of the Eagle River Fire Protection District board of directors, Chief Karl Bauer was presented the Patriot Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for supporting employees participating in the National Guard and Reserve.

The award was presented by retired U.S. Army Col. Lou Brackett, who thanked Bauer on behalf of the United States Department of Defense and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for “contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participating in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.”

The nomination was submitted by a district firefighter who is also a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. 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 to the nominating service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.



“I’m humbled to have been nominated,” Bauer said. “However, this shouldn’t be about me. (The district) has and will continue to gladly support those who serve our country. How could we possibly do otherwise when our stated purpose is ‘Ready to Serve’?”

This recognition also automatically places the district into the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award nomination process. The award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. A national selection board selects up to 15 employers to receive the award.


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