For those in the military, getting called away from your regular job for service can sometimes result in hardships with employers, but one Danville manager has been recognized for his support of those military employees.

John Welsh, general manager at Bob Allen Motor Mall, was recognized on Monday as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Welsh said.

The Patriot Award, as it is also known, is given to supervisors or bosses. It requires a nomination by an employee serving in the Army National Guard or Reserve for support given to that service member or their family. According to esgr.mil, the award “reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.”

A 25-year employee of Bob Allen, Welsh was nominated by Tim Bocook, a specialist in the Infantry of the Army National Guard.

Bocook said he made the nomination because Welsh, “really cares about the veterans working here.” He shared stories of how Welsh has helped him out whenever he needed something. 

Bocook said it wasn’t just Welsh, but the whole family at Bob Allen that is supportive of him and other veterans and service members.

“They just respect our service and value us for it as leaders in the company,” Bocook said. “It’s a whole support system.”

“We encourage our team to support our military,” Welsh said. “Everyone jumps in to help; we make sure they have a job when they come back,” Welsh said.

Welsh’s father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and his grandfathers served in the U.S. Navy and Army during World War II.

“They’re the ones who allow us to come to work everyday and lay our heads down on our pillows at night,” Welsh said.