utah hunter
Hero Member
A very small town employer showing love of country and his fellow man. From the Salt Lake Tribune.
WASHINGTON - The owner of a small trucking company in Salina, Utah, is receiving praise this week from the Pentagon and President Bush.
Kim Robinson's company earned the government's highest recognition given to employers for "exceptional support" for Guard and Reserve employees. Robinson said his efforts weren't about garnering attention or honors, but about taking care of his employees called up to serve abroad.
Robinson's company, Robinson Transport, was one of 15 to receive the Freedom Award for going above and beyond to help out the troops.
Robinson was scheduled to receive the award Thursday night at a black-tie ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington.
"It's just like a dream," Robinson said Thursday. "It's awesome. I can't really explain how I feel. It's a great honor by all means."
His company was nominated and chosen for the award for Robinson's decision to pay each employee ordered to active duty a salary of $1,000 per month, all health benefits as well as a bonus for Christmas for each family. Employers legally are only required to hold open the job while an employee is serving on active duty.
Thursday, Robinson and several family members were treated to a tour of the Pentagon and a meeting with a top official there.
Robinson still downplays his efforts. "We just did it to do it," he said.
"Sometimes we look how awesome we really have it in America," he added. And, "That's just a small token of appreciation for those guys. They're over there fighting for their lives and our freedoms and, you know, I don't think they need to worry about how their wife's going to make it, or [how they'll afford] their house payment or their kids and stuff."
Gordon Sumner, executive director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, praised Robinson for his work.
"In the military, the best leaders are those who always take care of their people - and it is no different in the civilian workplace," Sumner said. "Robinson Transport has shown that it, too, takes care of its people."
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WASHINGTON - The owner of a small trucking company in Salina, Utah, is receiving praise this week from the Pentagon and President Bush.
Kim Robinson's company earned the government's highest recognition given to employers for "exceptional support" for Guard and Reserve employees. Robinson said his efforts weren't about garnering attention or honors, but about taking care of his employees called up to serve abroad.
Robinson's company, Robinson Transport, was one of 15 to receive the Freedom Award for going above and beyond to help out the troops.
Robinson was scheduled to receive the award Thursday night at a black-tie ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington.
"It's just like a dream," Robinson said Thursday. "It's awesome. I can't really explain how I feel. It's a great honor by all means."
His company was nominated and chosen for the award for Robinson's decision to pay each employee ordered to active duty a salary of $1,000 per month, all health benefits as well as a bonus for Christmas for each family. Employers legally are only required to hold open the job while an employee is serving on active duty.
Thursday, Robinson and several family members were treated to a tour of the Pentagon and a meeting with a top official there.
Robinson still downplays his efforts. "We just did it to do it," he said.
"Sometimes we look how awesome we really have it in America," he added. And, "That's just a small token of appreciation for those guys. They're over there fighting for their lives and our freedoms and, you know, I don't think they need to worry about how their wife's going to make it, or [how they'll afford] their house payment or their kids and stuff."
Gordon Sumner, executive director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, praised Robinson for his work.
"In the military, the best leaders are those who always take care of their people - and it is no different in the civilian workplace," Sumner said. "Robinson Transport has shown that it, too, takes care of its people."
[email protected]
