FOLEY, Ala. — The City of Foley is the one public employer in the state to receive the highest Department of Defense award this year for its support of the Guard and Reserve.

The Pro Patria Award is given by the Alabama Field Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization that seeks to create a culture in which American employers support and value the military service of their employees.

The City of Foley was nominated by members of the 711th Signal Company (currently the 31st Signal Company and Detachment 1, Company B, 711 Brigade Support Battalion).

Mayor John Koniar accepted the Pro Patria Award at Monday’s Foley City Council meeting. Col. William F. Kringel (ret.) made the presentation to Koniar with members of the local Guard unit on hand. Koniar asked that Mike Dugger, general manager of Riviera Utilities, stand with him while the award presentation was made.

“This is in recognition of what the City of Foley has done for our soldiers,” Kringel said in opening remarks. Kringel, who read a citation in connection with the award presentation, identified himself as having served 30 years in the Alabama Army National Guard and Reserve.

Kringel said ESGR has three essential goals: educating employers; mediation; and “saying thank you.”

Over the past several years, the City of Foley has co-hosted Christmas parties for the local National Guard unit, held a Welcome Home event when local soldiers returned from duty in the Middle East, and acted to upgrade the armor protection of the local unit’s Humvees when the unit was deployed.

Koniar acknowledged the contributions former mayor Tim Russell made to support of local troops while they were deployed in the Middle East.

Members of the 31st Signal Battalion presented Koniar with a Certificate of Appreciation and the National Guard American Flag Plaque for the city and Dugger with a plaque for Riviera Utilities.