GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang on Monday joined the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Guam-CNMI State Committee in conferring the Patriot Award to four government officials.
The governor and lt. governor also proclaimed Aug. 12 to 15 as ESGR Week in honor of the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, the Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve and the Coast Guard Reserve.
Palacios said the people of the CNMI support “these great men and women for all the work they do.” The National Guard and Army Reserve contribute to the safety and security of the nation, he said, adding that their civilian employees are also on the frontline.
He said the Commonwealth and the nation will not be the same without the ESGR and its many contributions to the community.
Awardees
Those who received the Patriot Award were Office of Adult Probation Supervisors Nadia Mae B. Moses and Weena Gwendolyn Iguel, who were nominated by their employer, U.S. Army Reservist Ryan Justice Babauta; and Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres and Supervisor Rita Iglesias, who were nominated by U.S. Army Reservist Samlyn T. Atalig.
Babauta said Moses and Iguel deserve to be recognized for always keeping in contact with his family while he was deployed to Guam in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Mawar.
Atalig said one thing she admires about Torres is that he is a “natural-born leader.” He listens to his staff’s concerns and is fair and consistent, Atalig added.
As for Iglesias, Atalig said “she’s very supportive toward all the Corrections officers and staff. She will always give her advice on how to go on military leave, and what to do if the military leave wasn’t enough.”
Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army Mike Sablan, who is also the vice president of Triple J, said it is an honor and privilege working with reservists and veterans.
As an employer, he added, he knows first-hand how qualified, hardworking and dedicated military people are in their organization.
Also joining the governor and lt. governor in proclaiming ESGR Week were Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, new ESGR volunteer Tanya David of Bank of Guam, ESGR Guam-CNMI Area Chair Rita A. Sablan, EdD, ESGR State Ombudsman Joann T. Aquino, Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Justin Miller, U.S. Army Reserve SFC Tanya Songsong-Diaz, U.S. Army SPC Christian Ruiz and Kennedy Benjamin, the U.S. Army Reserve 9th Mission Support Command’s family readiness support assistant.
Rita Sablan noted that the ESGR team has been in existence for 27 years now. “We are so happy we could be around to support employers and servicemembers as they come together to really understand and be aware of their roles and responsibilities.”
She said servicemembers not only serve the community, but also the nation, “and we are really proud of the work that they do.”
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang pose Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve-CNMI Area Committee members, other CNMI officials and the recipients of the Patriot Award after a proclamation signing at the governor’s office on Monday.
Office of Adult Probation supervisor Nadia Mae B. Moses, third left, holds her Patriot Award as she poses for a photo with Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve-CNMI Area Chair Rita A. Sablan, EdD, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol, ESGR State Ombudsman Joann T. Aquino, ESGR volunteer Tanya David and Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army Mike Sablan in the governor’s conference room on Monday.
Office of Adult Probation supervisor Weena Gwendolyn Iguel, third left, holds her Patriot Award while she poses for a photo with ESGR Guan-CNMI Area Chair Rita A. Sablan, EdD, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol, ESGR State Ombudsman Joann T. Aquino, ESGR volunteer Tanya David and Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of Army the Mike Sablan in the governor’s conference room on Monday.
Department of Corrections supervisor Rita Iglesias holds her Patriot Award as she poses for a photo with ESGR Guan-CNMI Area Chair Rita A. Sablan, EdD, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol, ESGR State Ombudsman Joann T. Aquino, ESGR volunteer Tanya David and Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of Army the Mike Sablan in the governor’s conference room on Monday.
