Burlington resident receives Presidential service award
Special to the Gazette
Thursday, April 30, 2009
TOPEKA — Alan Barrett of Burlington was recently presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award, bronze level, for 2008 for his service to the Kansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award was presented at the group’s annual meeting.
According to a news release, the award was created in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizers individuals, families and groups that have achieved a certain standard measured by the number of hours served over a 12-month period.
The award is presented to adults at three levels: bronze for 100 to 249 hours served, silver 250-499 hours served, and gold 500 or more hours served.
Barrett serves on the Kansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee in the position of state awards director.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense organization. Their mission is to gain and maintain support for employers of Guard and Reserve soldiers by recognizing outstanding employers, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation.
Barrett is a retired Master Sergeant with a combined total of 28 years service with the Army Guard and Reserve. He also is an active volunteer firefighter in Coffey County since June 1976 and the Arab Shrine Clown Unit in Topeka. He is employed full time as an Engineering Technician at Lyon-Coffey Electric Cooperative in Burlington.