TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Mr. Bert Gaulke, chairman of the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee (center), accepts the highest state-level Department of Defense award for civilian employers here May 19 from Mr. Robert O. Anderson, Executive Director of California-North committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (right), and is thanked by Col. Maryanne Miller, commander of the 349th Air Mobility Wing (left). The Pro Patria Award honors employers which make extraordinary efforts to adopt policies and take actions supporting employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Only one Pro Patria Award is presented by each state ESGR committee annually. The Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee is a local community organization dedicated to supporting the Airmen and missions of Travis Air Force Base. Its membership is comprised of more than 150 local business and civic leaders. The ESGR operates through a network of more than 4,200 volunteers in 54 committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Europe. The California-North ESGR Committee promotes understanding of the National Guard and Reserve with both public and private sector employers. (U.S. Air Force / Maj. Robert Couse-Baker)