Fellowship UCC Pastor Honored by Department of Defense for Patriotic Support

On Sunday, January 8, 2023, Rev. Chris Moore, Lead Pastor at Fellowship UCC in Tulsa, received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award for the extraordinary support he provides his employee Rev. J. D. Morrison, a Chaplain and Captain in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Raymond Knapp, Chair of the Oklahoma Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

“National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said Knapp. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.