Three employers were recognized Monday with “The Secretary of Defense 2016 Patriot Award” for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve member employees.
The awards were presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at the Florence Rotary Club meeting.
“Our nation has relied heavily on Guard and Reserve members since entering continuous operations more than 14 years ago,”
said Rod Bell, chair of Area 7 of the Kentucky Committee of ESGR. “Employer support enhances retention rates in the Armed Forces and, in the end, strengthens our national security. Recognizing supportive employers is vital to ESGR’s mission. ESGR’s state committees actively promote awards as a key element in furthering employer support, while strengthening relationships between service members and employers. These Department of Defense awards recognize and honor the sacrifices made by so many employers year-after-year.”
Honored Monday were:
• Dylan Jaynes: Homeland Security (TSA); nominated by Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Ryan Richter
• Martha Chomyszak: US Bank (Florence); nominated by U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Dan McKibbin
• David Clark: CSX Transportation (Florence); nominated by U.S. Army Reserve 1 Lt. Brian Murphy.
The award recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed and other similar benefits, and who have signed or agree to sign a statement of support.
An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family.
“Members of the Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers form an alliance essential to the security of our nation. These brave men and women perform critical roles in disaster relief efforts at home and abroad, and continue to serve around the world to ensure our freedom. They could not perform their critical mission without support from people like you,” Bell said. “Your involvement, in whatever capacity you choose, can improve the relationships our brave men and women have with their employers while they continually place themselves in harm’s way, leave their families, and put their careers on hold to preserve our way of life.”
ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve forces members.
From Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve
