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Because David Hagedorn – assistant director of Campus Recreation at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – was part of a military family, it seemed only natural for him to show concern for a coworker whose husband is in the U.S. Navy Reserve. 

Hagedorn received the Patriotic Employer Award Tuesday from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Robert Kistler, ESGR representative, made the presentation, and said the Patriotic Employer Award is dedicated to individuals, who through their employer, support members of the military.

Tracy Zeigler, public function supervisor in Campus Recreation, nominated Hagedorn for the award. Zeigler’s husband, James, was most recently deployed to Kuwait and Germany from September 2012-January 2014. He has served a total of 10 years active duty in the Navy and 13 years in the Navy Reserve.

“Being a support to Tracy, her family and indirectly to her husband James during his deployment was important to me for several reasons,” Hagedorn said. “First, Tracy is a wonderful peer to have in our work environment.  Second, her husband James' decision to serve our nation in the Navy is highly commendable but not without challenge for James and challenge for the family at home.

“Third, I was aware of what it could be like to have a family member serving in the military.  My father (Richard Hagedorn) served in the Air Force and Air National Guard. My Grandfather (John Paino) served in the Army in World War II and landed in the second wave of the D-day invasion on June 6, 1944.”  

Zeigler learned of the Patriot Award and contacted ESGR about a year ago. “I know that

SIUE has a military friendly status as a school, but I feel Dave went way beyond that. He was not only my boss, but a friend when I needed someone to talk to. Dave was my support and backbone.” 

Zeigler gave one instance of assistance: “One day when it had snowed really hard, I looked out to see that our driveway had been shoveled. I immediately knew Dave did it.”   

“I was concerned about Tracy’s being able to parent and navigate the children’s activities with her work schedule,” said Chief Petty Officer Zeigler, who graduated from SIUE in 2001 with a bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and a minor in Military Science.

“Dave adjusted her schedule and was just there for her, and for both of us,” added Officer Zeigler. The Zeigler’s have three children: Jacinda, 23, and Jessica, 21, both SIUE students; and James Jr., 18.    

Photo:

David Hagedorn, assistant director of Campus Recreation at SIUE, receives the Patriotic Employer Award. Pictured from left to right: Robert Kistler, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) representative; Hagedorn, Tracy Zeigler, public function supervisor in Campus Recreation; and Chief Petty Officer James Zeigler, U.S. Navy Reserve.