LCMS receives ‘Above and Beyond’ award from U.S. Department of Defense

Kathy Milner, LCMS Department of Human Resources, and Joel Rivers, director of LCMS Security, hold the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve award given to the LCMS by the U.S. Department of Defense. Rivers nominated the LCMS for the award, and Milner received it on behalf of the LCMS at an awards banquet on Aug. 25 in Jefferson City, Mo. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been recognized by the United States Department of Defense for its support of employees who also serve in the military.

At an awards banquet on Aug. 25, 2017, Kathy Milner of Human Resources received the “Above and Beyond” award on behalf of the LCMS. It was presented by the Missouri division of the DoD’s Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program.

According to the ESGR website, the program was established in 1972 “to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.”

As noted on the website, “These citizen warriors could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families.”

The Synod was nominated for the award by LCMS Director of Security Joel Rivers. Rivers is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy who was recently notified he is being promoted to Commander. Asked why he nominated the Synod, Rivers said,

“As I approach the end of my Navy career I thought it was appropriate to nominate the LCMS because in my 18 years working here the LCMS has been very supportive and accommodating of everything I’ve had to do for the Navy — from my once-a-month drills to the two weeks of annual training to my two deployments (2003–2004 and 2016–2017). This was just a small way for me to show my gratitude for this support over the years.”

In a letter notifying the Synod of the award, Lee J. Metcalf, Rear Admiral, USN (retired) and current chairman of the Missouri State ESGR, wrote:

“We are thrilled to recognize your company at the annual Missouri Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Awards Dinner. We appreciate your unwavering dedication and support of our men and women who not only serve this country, but also live and work in the communities where your company is located. I, and the country, very much appreciate your commitment to employ our military, veterans, and their spouses.”

Posted Oct. 23, 2017