PORTLAND – Postal Custodian Michael Cox, who works nights at the Portland Processing and Distribution Center’s Northwest Annex, is also a staff sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 304th Regiment, Army Reserves, based in Lewiston.

When Cox heard that his regiment was interested in honoring employers who support those who serve in military reserve units, he nominated Postal Supervisor Rick Wear for recognition. Wear, a resident of New Gloucester, oversees the operations and duties that Cox performs daily.

Before joining the Postal Service, Cox served in the Marines during Operation Desert Storm and belonged to a unit that captured and secured islands that Iraq had invaded during the first Gulf War. He continues to serve his country as a member of the Army Reserves.

“Rick always supports me whenever I need military leave,” said Cox, “and I never have to worry about my hours being covered when I go on training exercises. I know it must be a hardship on him and on my co-workers at times, but Rick never mentions those difficulties. He just does what needs to be done so I can go, and that means a lot to me.”

At a surprise ceremony at the Portland Post Office, Wear was given the “My Boss is a Patriot” award by Cox’s battalion commander, Lt. Col. Alan Lane, for Wear’s on-going support of the reserve unit. The award is part of the military’s program called Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

One-third of Maine’s 4,500 postal employees are military veterans. The Postal Service District of Maine has 25 employees serving in military reserve units around the world. Some who are members of those units were called to active duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom, were deployed overseas and now serve in the Persian Gulf region.

The 3rd Battalion (USMA) 304th Regiment, 7th Brigade (Training Support), 98th Division (Institutional Training) of the U.S. Army Reserve provides operational command for the Basic Rifle Marksmanship and Hand Grenade portion of the Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

Among other functions, that Battalion teaches military skills to 1,400 new cadets at West Point every July and August. The unit is identified as Task Force Iroquois, 3rd of the 304th from Lewiston. Lieutenant Colonel Alan Lane is commander.