On May 12th, the Lake Washington Council of the Navy League partnered with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for a memorial breakfast event in honor of Bob Curran. Bob was a long-time military liaison, instrumental in coordinating the military forces with the Seattle Seafair festivities. The breakfast event was also an opportunity for certain employers, such as SME, Inc. of Seattle to be honored for their outstanding service and continuing support to the national defense.

SME was presented with the “Above and Beyond Award” from the ESGR, with Chris Fink in attendance, dressed in full uniform, and JP Wittman accepting the award on SME’s behalf. SME was in prestigious company with other employers and organizations that received the same award: Costco, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Seahawks and Trident Seafood. Microsoft and the Port of Seattle also received the highest ESGR recognition - the Pro Patria Award.

All the companies were honored in some fashion for their support of employees who are also Reserve Component members, by going above and beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). It was very special to hear the various ways in which the companies supported their military members as the awards were presented at the memorial breakfast. The following is a little history on what led up to SME receiving this award.

Employees of SME were called upon by James Meaux (safety director) to lend support to Chris Fink (journeyman electrician) and his unit, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion Five, in by providing very badly needed electrical tools and meters. The response was overwhelming. The company and SME employees, together with ABC, Platt Electric, and others, donated tools and other items worth over $10,000 to Chris’s unit which was deployed from May to November 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, working on the Iraqi oil platforms ABOT and KAAOT. As quoted in a letter of appreciation to SME from the Maintenance Company Commander C. Robert Nash Jr., “We couldn’t have been as effective in the completion of construction tasks or troubleshooting/repair of electrical circuits without your generous support.” Congratulations to SME and all who participated in this effort and know that you are appreciated by the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve Forces.