A local businessman was honored for his support of an employee's service to the country.
Tom Ahl was surprised Friday morning with the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense. The award is through the Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve Agency. To get this award you have to be nominated by an employee in the reserves who you have supported by allowing them the time off to serve without worrying if they will have a job when they come home.
"Prior to my mobilization, they gave me the time off necessary to prepare the battalion to move on a mobilization heading into a combat zone," said Jeremy Stevenson, Army Reserve 983rd Engineer Battalion.
"Jeremy has sacrificed so much to, I mean, to leave his family and it is challenging for our employees to pick up the pace, so my hats off really to our employees who have graciously allowed him to go and then they pick up the pace," explained Tom Ahl, who received Patriot Award.
"Jeremy put it in for him," said Randy Gasser, Asst. Ombudsmen Director Ohio. "It's when an employer goes above and beyond to help the service member while they're preparing for deployment or drill weekends."
By receiving this award, Ahl is eligible for higher recognition for his support to those who serve our country.
