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Guard, Reserve thank civilian employers with Creech trip

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Emerson Marcus
  • Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  A Guardsman's employment, whether in private business or government agency, often involves accommodation for deployments, drill weekend and, sometimes, emergency response.

The Nevada National Guard and regional reserve components returned the favor Tuesday, 10 March, by nominating those employers for recognition awards and a tour of Creech Air Force Base in southern Nevada.

"I'm glad to be here and I'm glad to support the military," said Michael Henson, the human resources compliance officer for Renown Regional Medical Center. "If it wasn't for the military we wouldn't have businesses in the United States."

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, headed the event that included a C-130 flight from Reno for Northern Nevada business representatives to visit the base northwest of Las Vegas near the town of Indian Springs.

The tour included a static display of the base's remote operated aircraft and an aerial show from U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

"This is an excellent opportunity for us to not only introduce folks in the community to the type of technology and work that we do here at Creech Air Force Base, but it's also specifically important to be able to thank these employers that have military members that work for them," said Lt. Col. Walt Reiss III, commander of the 232nd Operations Squadron, the Nevada Air Guard unit stationed at Creech. "These are the folks that are making that commitment of the military member possible. We certainly recognize the contribution that all of these employers make."

Henson said Renown has processed paperwork for more than 35 full-time employees leaving on deployment in the past seven years. Those employees returned to a job at Renown after deployment, Henson said.

"We run into a lot," he said. "Especially the last 10 years with the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Awards and recogntion were given to more than 40 employers on Tuesday: the Patriot Award, a certificate of appreciation nominated by service members; the Seven Seals Award, recognition of significant individuals or organizational achievement; and the Above and Beyond Award for employers who have gone and above the USERRA law.

The following includes those awards and businesses:

Patriot Award

Sgt. Dan Johnson, Nevada Department of Public Safety


Seven Seals Award

Andrea Hodges, Division of Public and Behavioral Health

Annie Emprima-Martin, Las Vegas PBS

Barbara Brown, Dollar Tree in Sparks

Barbara Urmanski, Best Buy

Brian Grayson, Cashman Equipment in Elko

Chalene Lair, Grace Bake Shoppe

Chief Michael Freeman, City of Las Vegas Detention and Law Enforcement

Chris Pankhurst, Cashman Equipment in Reno

Capt. Jason Letkiewicz, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Donald Ray Abney, Berry Plastics

Doug Benamati, Nevada Department of Transportation

Dr. Anthony Mattioli, Pendleton Mattioli Family Dentistry

Dr. Dan Mucc, Reno Oral Surgery and Maxillofacial

Dr. Joel T. Glover, Glover Dentistry

Dr. Joyce Anacker, Glover Dentistry

Dr. Steven Robinson, Periodontics and Dental Implants

Elizabeth Gallo Carter, Crème Café

Eric Ellison, U.S. Bureau of Land Management

Harold Wickham, Nevada Department of Corrections

Jacqueline Lyons, Jack Daily Elementary School in the Clark County School District

James Houtchens, Gold Strike Hotel and Casino

Joel Hyzer, National Park Service, Lake Meade Recreational Area

Joni Maestretti, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center

KOLO Channel 8

Kristi Ulm, Charles River Laboratories

Miguel Valencia, YRC Freight

Sam's Club Silvia Noriega, Clark County

William Perks, Discount Tire


Above and Beyond Awards

Ace Fire Systems

Battlefield Vegas

City of North Las Vegas

Doreen Owens, U.S. Department of Labor

Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Lhoist North America, Apex Plant

Nevada Department of Taxation

Nevada Department of Corrections

Nevada Department of Public Safety

Nikkiso Cryo, Inc.

Nevada Highway Patrol in Elko

Southwest Truck Driver Training

Las Vegas PBS

Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing


Pro Patria Award

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Renown Regional Medical Center Southwest Truck Driver Trainer


Extraordinary Employer Support

General Electric, Bently Nevada

Newmont Mining Corporation

Source: ESGR