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March 29, 2007
WILDLIFE CHIEF RECIPIENT OF NATIONAL GUARD AWARD
COLUMBUS, OH Steven A. Gray, retiring chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, today received the Ohio Army National Guard’s “My Boss is a Patriot” Award during a reception in his honor.
Maj. Joe Barber, who is a pilot with both the ODNR Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Army National Guard, nominated Gray for the award. Barber recently returned from a six-month deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
“It is an honor and privilege to represent the Ohio National Guard in presenting Chief Steve Gray with the ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award’,” said Col. Al Faber, chief of the joint staff for the Ohio National Guard.
“This award was created to recognize employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to their employees who also serve as members of the National Guard and Reserves.
“Major Barber’s service in the Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom could not have been possible without the support of his employer and the sacrifices of his fellow employees - and most importantly, his family.”
Barber also acknowledged Gray’s support.
“Chief Gray has been supportive of my guard career and those of other division employees,” said Barber. “It’s never been an issue to have the time to participate in ongoing training or to be involved in a deployment.”
Barber and three other Division of Wildlife employees serving in the Ohio National Guard have been deployed since the beginning of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. They include John Morton, Josh Shields and Greg Wade.
Not only have division employees received full support from Gray as they pursue their military careers, Gray has also made division facilities available to the Ohio National Guard. As chief, Gray spearheaded an agreement between the division and the Ohio National Guard, allowing division property to be used for training.
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