11:19 a.m., June 25, 2009----At the fifth anniversary celebration of the University of Delaware's Early Learning Center on Tuesday, June 16, the center and its director, Peg Bradley, and associate director, Beth Inter, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award. The award is given to recognize employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force.

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Employers qualify for recognition when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve.

The Early Learning Center was nominated by Chief Warrant Officer Porfirio Alequine of the 261st Tactical Theater Signal Brigade, for its “support of my spouse on the home front during my deployment here in Iraq.” Alequine is a reservist who was called up for duty six months ago and has six months left on his tour. His wife, Michelle, is a teacher at the center.

Alequine went on to say that Bradley and Inter provide “consolation, understanding, and peace of mind” during a very difficult time for his family.

Judy Zaal of the Employee Support Guard and Reserve unit of Delaware, and a mother of an active service member, presented the Early Learning Center with a plaque, and Bradley and Inter with Patriot pins, for their support of the military during wartime.

Bradley said she was touched that the center was nominated for a Patriot Award. “It is our privilege to do whatever we can to lighten the load for Michelle and her daughter,” Bradley said. “They are the ones who deserve recognition and honor for the daily sacrifices that they make while Porfirio serves our country abroad.”

Inter said she did not expect to receive an award for her actions. “While it was an honor for me to receive the Patriot Award, it has been more of an honor to support the family of one of our servicemen,” Inter said.

Zaal said that the support that families received from child care programs such as the Early Learning Center allows soldiers to do their jobs with confidence that their children are being cared for in the best possible manner.

Bradley said that the Alequine family is but one of many families at the center experiencing additional demands because of family members being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

“Our staff works to be as flexible and supportive as possible with all families who are in need of extra help during stressful times,” she said.

Article by Jon Bleiweis