PUHI — Cory Soares has been with Kauai Auto Repair for 17 years, helping Angel Santiago III and his family build the business.
It’s a small crew at the shop in Puhi, about seven employees that are working together to keep their Kauai customers rolling.
And throughout the years, they’ve been a man short for a stretch because Soares has on deployments with the National Guard. They’re in the situation again, with Soares on deployment with his son in Egypt.
They consider it an honor to keep Soares on the payroll and as part of the staff while he’s away.
“Every time he leaves it’s hard for us, we’re a small business with only a few employees,” said Santiago. “But, we appreciate it. Somebody’s got to do it.”
The appreciation goes both ways — in August Santiago is flying to the Pentagon to accept the Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for supporting the serviceman.
They’re one of 15 employers being acknowledged nationwide, and the only employer from Hawaii. They were nominated by Soares and were one of 2,415 nominated companies.
The award is specifically for employers who support the National Guard and Reserve. It began in 1996 and to date there have been 265 honorees.
The company is a full-service repair and maintenance shop that offers the usual array of service for breaks and transmissions, shocks and struts, air conditioning and batteries, tires and the computerized elements of vehicles.
“The strength of our military and the success of our defense strategy depends on the readiness of our National Guard and Reserve members,” said Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in a release about the award. “These dedicated citizen warriors could not accomplish their missions without employers who understand and support their military service.”
Soares is currently on deployment at South Camp in Sinai, Egypt with the 1st-299th Cavalry Regiment, Multinational Force &Observers 65.
“We were up against a lot of companies,” Santiago said. “And it’s nice to be appreciated.”
•••
Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
I support the Hawai’ian Kingdom subjects education and return to independence….. only then will we have true FREEDOM!!!
BRING OUR NATIONAL GUARD HOME!!!
HAWAIIANKINGDOM.ORG