In 2010, National Reservist Thomas Mboya told his employer that he had been called to serve in Afghanistan. “It's called being activated,” Mboya said. “I knew it was only a matter of time, they were calling a lot of people.”

 Two years, later, Mboya, 38, Waterbury, has returned from his tour of duty. One of the first things he has done since his return was honor his employer, Bethel's Ability Beyond Disability.

 While in Afghanistan, Mboya had nominated Ability Beyond Disability for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, in recognition of extraordinary support of it's employees in the Guard and Reserve.

 In military dress, with actions intentional and crisp, and in front of almost 100 employees and guests, Mboya presented the flag flown in Afghanistan to Tom Fanning, CEO of the the company.

 Addressing the audience, many of them long time friends, Mboya said, “Your prayers gave me the courage I needed to make it home.” Detailing his time in Afghanistan, he said he would not have made it through had it not been for the support of Ability Beyond Disability.

 At least three times, Mboya said, “I have been born again through this company. The people we serve here taught me how to deal with people. This company gave me courage, skills and hope.”

 Mboya said he brought back with him too many stories to tell, but he promised to share them when he returned to work.

Mboya began working at ABD in 2002. He said his work with youth with behavior disabilities had prepared him "for life on the outside."  He shared what the company had meant to him while he was gone. 

 “The principals of this company, that everyone has the opportunity to have a better life, are the principals of this country. You may think education teaches you so much, but you work here, you learn so much.”

 Much of Mboya's speech obviously touched members of the audience. “I remember leaving here, looking out the window of the plane and wondering if I was leaving for the last time. I saw my family from the plane window, my little girl was just six months old, and I wondered if I would see them again. In Afghanistan, it was not easy. But I always had hope. Nothing, not enemies, no one, can destroy your hope.”

 The flag folding ceremony was carried out by Sgt. Mboya and SPC. Timothy Papoutsakis, Manchester, CT, who said he would be deployed to Iraq in the fall.

Once the flag was refolded, it was presented to Tom Fanning, CEO of ABD, who accepted it solemnly, and said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, from all of the people you served. This flag will be flown here forever more. Thank you for making this possible.”

 The award presented to Ability Beyond Disability is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.