(Warrensburg, Mo.) – The City of Warrensburg was presented the Above and Beyond Award from the Missouri Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) on Friday at the annual awards dinner in St. Louis, according to a press release.

The Above and Beyond Award recognizes employers at the local level who provide extraordinary support and cooperation to their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve as well as the families of those employees who have been called to serve.

Late last year, Warrensburg Firefighter\EMT Darryl Smithson, a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, nominated now retired Fire Chief Phil Johnston for the Patriot Award in recognition of his tireless support and dedication to City employees serving in the military.

“I think it is only fitting that part of Chief Johnston’s legacy to the City is that his personal actions both on and off the job in supporting me as a military member qualified the City for a higher award,“ states Smithson.  “I hope when City employees and citizens of Warrensburg see the Above and Beyond Award, they are reminded not only of Chief Johnston’s actions but also the collective support and respect of the City management, employees and residents supporting and honoring the members of the Guard, Reserve, active and retired military on a day-to-day basis.”

Master Sergeant Smithson attended the awards dinner and presentation with City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins who accepted the award on behalf of the City of Warrensburg.

“The City of Warrensburg is honored and humbled to receive this award. We value the service and dedication of our men and women in the armed forces, especially employees like Darryl Smithson,” stated Hertwig Hopkins.  “Support is more than just ensuring our military employees that their jobs are here when they return from duty but providing them peace of mind that their families here can call us if they need anything and we are here to help in any way possible.”

Master Sergeant Darryl Smithson and Warrensburg City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins with the Above and Beyond Award presented to the City of Warrensburg on Friday.