Walter Haag, Area 5 Chairman of the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, presented Chad Gilbeck, IIT, with the organization’s Patriot Award Sept. 29.

Gilbeck was nominated by Viterbo student Nathan Bedard, a Senior Airman in the Airforce, who was called to active duty and is now serving in Kuwait.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed. The Department of Defense is proud to recognize employers who support their guard and reserve employees.