On June 13^th, The Massachusetts State Chair attended a special award ceremony at FLIR Systems in Billerica where MAJ John Hodge, a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, was presented with a flag case from his employer. The case contained a large American flag with certificates documenting the flag had flow over the Pentagon on Memorial Day and then flown outside FLIR Systems the next day. 

For his part, MAJ Hodge presented his employer with the Patriot Award. At a higher level, Mr Ken Forchielli, Massachusetts State Chair for ESGR, presented FLIR with the Above & Beyond Award for all they’ve done for their employees who also serve as citizen soldiers in today’s Guard or Reserve. During the recognition ceremony, Mr Earl Lewis, CEO and Chairman of the Board stated that he could not understand why he would receive an award entitled the “Above and Beyond” since he considered it his, and every other employer’s obligation to support their employees when they are called to serve and deploy with the military during times of need.  

The employer, FLIR Systems, is a world leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of thermal imaging and stabilized camera systems for a wide variety of thermography and imaging applications.  

In the photograph, MAJ Hodge holds the flag case with his employer and company CEO, Mr Earl Lewis