Cooper plant leaders receive patriot award

TUPELO, Miss. — The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)  has named three workers at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Tupelo plant as recipients of its Patriot Award.

Terry Weeden, tire assembly department manager; Brad Norris, tire assembly foreman; and Grady Vines, first stage crew leader, were nominated for the award.

Blake Rood, first stage tire builder and Army National Guard sergeant, nominated the plant leaders for the award as a measure of gratitude for supporting flexible schedules necessary to complete his role with the Army National Guard.

He presented the award to the plant leaders during a special ceremony alongside Charlotte Wade, first stage tire builder and Army National Guard staff sergeant who is also employed at the Tupelo plant, and ESGR representatives.

"Cooper is proud to support our employees' military commitments," Tupelo Plant Manager Robert Haggerty said. "We truly value the work they do both in our facilities and to protect our nation. It is our privilege to have servicemen and women as members of the Cooper team."

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.

The ESGR Patriot Award honors those who make an effort to support citizen warriors through flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence as needed.