Rabideau honored for National Guard and Reserve work

Former Franklin County Prosecutor Jim Rabideau has been honored for his volunteer work promoting employer support of members of the National Guard and Reserve.

He received the James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism Award, the highest honor given to a committee volunteer by the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, a Department of Defense office.

Rabideau has volunteered with ESGR for nearly 30 years, currently serving as a chairman of its East Central Committee for Washington state.

In one case, materials Rabideau used to brief recruiters at the Kennewick Recruiting Station were used to get an employer to immediately rehire an employee fired because of military commitments.

He also worked with the Washington National Guard to develop a State Active Duty Wallet Card, which helped when large numbers of the National Guard were deployed for the 2014 Oso landslide and the 2015 wildfires.

“I don’t expect awards for volunteering,” Rabideau said. “I took an oath as a 12-year-old when I became a Boy Scout to ‘do a good turn daily,’ so my activity is an obligation and enjoyable.”

This story was originally published June 5, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Rabideau honored for National Guard and Reserve work."