By Lt. Gregory Grevelding, Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs
NORFOLK,
Va. – A Charlotte, North
Carolina native represented one of 14 companies from across the nation honored
by the Chief of Navy Reserve for their exceptional support of America’s Navy
Reserve Sailors during a ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia, June 23.
Kevin Staley,
Deputy Director at Mecklenburg EMS Agency - Medic received a Certificate of
Appreciation during the Chief of Navy Reserve Navy Employer Recognition Event
(NERE) for his dedication and support of employees who serve in the Navy
Reserve.
Kicking off the event, Vice Adm. Luke M. McCollum, chief of Navy Reserve
said we want to give you some real hands on experience of what your Navy
Reserve Sailors do. We are going to give you a taste of the Navy today.
NERE
is a Navy familiarization day sponsored by the Chief of Navy Reserve to
recognize employers who provide their Reserve Sailors with superior support,
and provide them an opportunity to see first-hand what Reserve Sailors do every
day. Selected employers are chosen from nominations submitted by their Reserve
Sailor employees.
“I want to step into the day with a military nautical sense,” said McCollum.
“The Sailors you’ll meet today are thrilled to show you their work.”
Throughout the
one-day recognition event, Staley and the other employers had the opportunity
to get an up-close and personal look at the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command,
tour the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at Naval
Station Norfolk, view a static display of aircraft from Naval Air Force Reserve, and witness a demonstration by
Reserve SEAL Team 18.
Companies invited to this year’s
event were nominated by their employees who are also Navy Reserve Sailors.
Guests included CEOs, company owners and senior executives from small, medium
and large companies.
In
wrapping up the welcome, McCollum said the training and experiences Reserve
Sailors receive in the Navy provides great value to their companies when they
return.