By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— To recognize individuals and organizations for assisting and honoring veterans in Shelby County, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Alabama Committee District 6 held an awards program Jan. 14 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Eighteen individuals were given one of three awards: Patriotic Employer Award, Seven Seals Award or Above and Beyond Award.

Jim Choate, state vice chair of ESGR, announced Pelham Police Lt. Mike Roberts as the winner of the Patriotic Employer Award.

“Lt. Roberts we appreciate that you recognize the value of your employee as a member of the guard and reserve,” Choate said. “A lot of employers don’t really recognize today their employees in the guard and reserve, and it makes their lives a lot easier (when they are recognized).”

Barry Blount, commander of the American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555, was one of 16 others given the Seven Seals Award. Employer Outreach Director Marvin Copes depicted the success of Post 555 as he handed Blount the certificate.

“Post 555, Triple Nickel, is being recognized because it is brand new this year…we are very proud of the members of that,” Copes said. “They have grown to over 100 (members) in a year’s time and have set the pace for any other American Legion post in Alabama. You can be very proud of that.”

Post 555 has been active in dozens of events in Shelby County, such as the 50^th Vietnam Anniversary Day of Thanks, Wreaths Across America and American Legion Baseball.

“You have to understand that this all started from a spark when Mom and I lost our son from a tragedy in Iraq,” Blount told the audience of about 40 attendees. “His legacy still lives on.”

Terri Blount, Barry Blount’s wife, and Post 555 Vice Commander Kenneth Pascal also received the Seven Seals Award.

Other recipients of the Seven Seals Award were: Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego, Henry McCaskill of the Private Public Partnership Office, Terry Hinton of Still Serving Veterans, Pelham Human Resources Director Janis Parks, National Cemetery Director Quincy Whitehead, Bob Barefield of Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive, Greg Chapman of the Alabama Career Center System, Jackie Bishop of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Glenn Nivens of Wreaths Across America, Marty Job of the Vet Center Mobile Unit, Brian Crawford of AWARE, Neal Wagner and Phoebe Robinson of the Shelby County Reporter and Ginger Branson of the Blue Star Salute and Alabama Veterans War Memorial.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters received the final award: The Above and Beyond Award. Copes explained that Waters has gone above and beyond to support seniors and veterans in the community.

“The city of Pelham has a history of supporting all of its employees who are military affiliated…I applaud (veterans), what you do,” Waters said. “What we do for you is but a small part, and I hope we can continue a very long-lasting and healthy relationship this way.”