Sheriff Stover recognized for support of active duty National Guard members
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover, right, is pictured with Deputy Tyler Butler after he was named a Patriotic Employer by the ESGR. Butler nominated Stover for the award for supporting his role as an active duty member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover, front row center, is pictured with the Clinton County Commissioners, back row from left, Jim Russo, Angela Harding and Jeff Snyder; Deputy Tyler Butler, an active duty National Guardsman, left, and Retired Lt. Col. William Burkhard of ESGR. Butler nominated Stover as a Patriotic Employer for his support of his role in the National Guard.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Retired Lt. Col. William Burkhard, representing Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover with an award, recognizing him as a Patriotic Employer.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover, right, is pictured with Deputy Tyler Butler after he was named a Patriotic Employer by the ESGR. Butler nominated Stover for the award for supporting his role as an active duty member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover, front row center, is pictured with the Clinton County Commissioners, back row from left, Jim Russo, Angela Harding and Jeff Snyder; Deputy Tyler Butler, an active duty National Guardsman, left, and Retired Lt. Col. William Burkhard of ESGR. Butler nominated Stover as a Patriotic Employer for his support of his role in the National Guard.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Retired Lt. Col. William Burkhard, representing Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover with an award, recognizing him as a Patriotic Employer.
Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- Supporting veterans and active duty military personnel is something that Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover does his best to provide to the residents of Clinton County and the deputies in his charge.
That support was put on full display during a special award ceremony, held Wednesday morning in the second floor meeting room of the Clinton County Government building, 2 Piper Way, Lock Haven.
Sheriff Stover was recognized as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve after being nominated by one of his deputies -- Tyler Butler.
Butler has worked for the sheriff's department for two years, and has been an active member of the Pennsylvania National Guard for six years.
According to Butler, the recognition is well deserved, as Sheriff Stover works with his active duty schedule and training.
"It's well deserved," Butler said. "Sheriff Stover has a humble heart."
Butler noted it isn't always easy for employers to offer full support for active duty personnel, but Sheriff Stover has always done what he can to work with his schedule.
Sheriff Stover received the award from Retired Lt. Col. William Burkhard, representing ESGR. Burkhard commended him for his support of Butler and active duty personnel.
"It's special, because he (Butler) wants to recognize you for his support," he said. "We all know what this world is like today. We're becoming more and more dependent on the National Guard."
Burkhard acknowledged this dependency can make it hard for National Guard members and those that employ them.
The ESGR is a Department of Defense Program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Component through outreach, recognition and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws, and resolves employment conflicts between service members and their employers.
The Patriotic Employer Award is one way the DOD has chosen to spotlight those, like Sheriff Stover, that showcase their support of individuals who are active duty, Burkhard said.
Burkhard noted that "we all serve" in one way or another, and Sheriff Stover showcases his service through his commitment to assisting Butler.
Sheriff Stover noted he was totally blindsided by the recognition, only beginning to suspect when his wife, Vicki, entered the room.
He emphasized his support of veterans and active duty personnel as being very important to him.
"You don't turn away good people and you don't turn away veterans either," he said.
He noted Butler keeps him up to date on his duties for the National Guard and what that may or may not mean, including potential deployments.
"He's going to do what he has to do and I'll do what I need to support him," Stover said.
He also commended his entire team of deputies for their support as well.
"Don't forget the other deputies help pick up where needed," he said. "I have a good team of deputies here."