LEXINGTON, S.C. – Eight Lexington County Magistrates and their Chief Court Administrator will be honored on Monday, February 9, with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for their exceptional support of a fellow judge serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCNG). The ceremony will take place at 4:00 PM at the Lexington County Magistrate Court.
The awardees, Judges Matt Johnson, Gary Reinhart, Brian Buck, Gary Morgan, Rebecca Adams, Kyliene Keesley, Arthur Myers, and Brad Melton, along with Chief Court Administrator Ed Lewis, were nominated for the award by Judge Larry Saunders, a U.S. Army Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard, for their significant efforts to support him during his military service.
The award reflects efforts to support citizen Soldiers through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off before and after deployment, support for families, and granting leaves of absence when needed. 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 directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family.
"I am deeply honored to work with such a supportive team," said U.S. Army Col. Larry Saunders. "Their willingness to cover dockets allowed me to fulfill my duties to the National Guard seamlessly.”
ESGR is a Department of Defense program that was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 3,600 volunteers who carry out ESGR's mission across the Nation.
“Their actions exemplify the spirit of the Patriot Award, and I am grateful for their commitment not only to the justice system but to our nation's service members." said Saunders