BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Sgt. Erskine Reed, Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff and Beale Air Force Base reservist, helped recognize his supervisor, Sgt. Daniel McAuliffe, in a ceremony held at the Sheriff's Training Academy, June 17.
Last year, Reed reached out to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to nominate McAuliffe for the "Above and Beyond Award" and the "Patriots Award." Both awards recognize an employer's exceptional attitude and service toward understanding a military member's need for flexibility in schedules or accommodating absences due to military service.
The ESGR, a Department of Defense program started in 1972, aims to foster employers' cooperation of their employees National Guard and Reserve service.
Reed spoke of his thanks and admiration for McAuliffe's kindness and consideration.
"Anytime I was away from my family because of my military service Sgt. McAuliffe always helped to make things easier," Reed said. "I've never had such a supportive supervisor."
Co-workers, family, and even recruits still in training at the Sheriff's Academy witnessed McAuliffe receive awards for his outstanding support of Sgt. Reed's continued military service. But McAuliffe didn't see anything extraordinary in his support of Reed.
"I thought I was just doing my job," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe said he recognized how tough it was for Reed to serve as a sheriff and also be in the military.
"We ask a lot of him and if the Sheriff's Department can create an atmosphere that allows an easier transition between both of his jobs then I feel that's what we need to provide," McAuliffe said.
"I feel like I should be thanking you guys," McAuliffe said to a handful of Reed's fellow service members in attendance. "I'm so honored to have the people who defend our freedom all over the world thanking me. I'm so humbled by this and I will remember this day for a very long time."
Reed's Reserve co-workers also thanked McAuliffe for his support of their co-worker.
"Employers' support really makes a difference in the success of our reservists and we are so grateful to Sgt. McAuliffe and to the Sacramento County Sheriff's office for their flexibility and understanding," Maj. Brian Guthrie, 38th Intelligence Squadron assistant director of operations, said.