Plaistow, NH – Mr Ted Kehr, Chair of the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that two local businesses each recently received a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.  The recognition took place at their respective company locations with the presentation being made by Jim Goss, Executive Director of the NH Committee.

ASHLAND, Ky. - Ashland resident Ernest M. Pitt Jr. has been named Area 4 director for the Kentucky Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), according to Bob Silverthorn, Kentucky ESGR field chair.

West Monroe, Louisiana – Jack Humphries, Field Chair of the Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that, Louisiana Sectary of State Jay Dardenne, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009.  The signing ceremony occurred at the Pentecostals Men's Luncheon.  

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Commerce Bank, in St. Joseph, Mo., knows how to support its military members.  Three supervisors at the Felix Street branch were presented a Patriot Award on Tuesday by John Murawski of the Missouri Committee of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve. President Emil Sechter, Senior Vice-President Bob Dempster and Executive Vice-President Corky Marquart were nominated for the award by Sgt. Rob Payeur, of the 139th Airlift Wing, who serves as a commercial relationship manager at the bank.

Bruce Smith, National Pro-football League Hall of Fame Defensive End publicly acknowledges his support of National Guard and Reserve members by signing an ESGR Statement of Support on October 13, 2009 during Fleet Week at the Naval Station, Norfolk.  ESGR Tidewater Committee member, CDR Doyle Quisenberry, USNR Ret. observes the signed statement by" The King of Sack" (200). As guest speaker on "Teamwork". Bruce Smith said "I am honored to be asked to speak to sailors, who are sacrificing their own security for ours. I am humbled". His talk on traits of a successful team was an inspiration to all attendees.

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that two officers of the Barnstead, New Hampshire Fire & Rescue were honored with “Patriot Awards” in recognition of their extraordinary support of their employee, Sergeant Harold Arey, who serves in the Individual Ready Reserve of the United States Marine Corps.

North Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today Jim Lindsey, Owner of Lindsey Management, was honored with a Seven Seals Award in recognition of his support of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve mission.

The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Grace Huang, Customer Team Manager, Pacific Coast JV Region with Merck and Company, Scottsdale, Arizona was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee who serves in the United States Navy Reserve.

The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Chuck Artigue, General Manager with Sandusky Radio, Phoenix was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee who serves in the United States Army Reserve.

Bristol, NH – Mr Ted Kehr, Chair of the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that New Hampshire’s Public Service Company – Hydro Plant, received a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.  The recognition ceremony took place at their Bristol, NH location, with the presentation being made by Jim Goss, Executive Director of the NH Committee.

National Guard men and women are getting more than just a pat on the back and a thank you from the capital city.

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and two supervisors were recognized today by the Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, for their support of employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The Delaware Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced nearly 25 employers of 512th Airlift Wing reservists participated in Employer Appreciation Day Oct. 3 at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware.

The Kansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve sponsors the Bosslift in an effort to educate employers about the sacrifices guard and reserve personnel make.

ELLENWOOD, GA -- The Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented the Atlanta Falcons with a Statement of Support certificate on September 22, 2009 at the Georgia National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters, 5019 GA Hwy 42, Ellenwood, GA 30294.

Kansas City, Missouri – The Missouri Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today Michael Carter, owner, was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the employees who serve in the Kansas National Guard and Reserve.

The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department of Jonesboro, Louisiana received the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, 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.  The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department was selected as one of only 15 employers from across the nation to receive a 2009 Freedom Award.  The Freedom Award was presented to the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department during a formal ceremony Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. 

Virginia Beach – Mr. Roger Trout, State Chair of the Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Mr. Frederick Whyte, President, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.  The signing ceremony took place at the Stihl, USA Headquarters in Virginia Beach.  On hand for the signing ceremony was Mr. Roger Trout, Chairman, ESGR Virginia Committee, COL Tom Stephen, Executive Director, Virginia Committee, ESGR, CAPT Fred Berck, Chairman, Tidewater Committee, CAPT Kevin Olds, USCGR, Employer, Recruiting Manager for STIHL and PO2 Amy Lee, USNR, another STIHL employee, Randall Phelps, Tidewater Committee member, LT Bob Schwectin, and Doyle Quisenberry, CDR, USNR Ret.  Mr. Roger Trout presided over the ceremony for ESGR.

ARLINGTON, Va. (October 19, 2009) – The Pentagon’s chief civilian officer for Guard and Reserve affairs joined top military officials at the Pentagon on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, to pledge their support of the nation’s employers of Guard and Reserve members. Dennis M. McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, was the first to sign the Statement of Support.

Morrilton, Arkansas – The Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Chief of Police, Norbert Gunderman of the Morrilton Police Department was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

Jacksonville, Arkansas – Richard Green, Program Specialist of the Arkansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that the Honorable Gary Fletcher, Mayor of Jacksonville, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Friday, September 25, 2009.   The signing ceremony was in the Mayors Office in Jacksonville. 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A group of civilian employers of National Guard and Reserve members in Alabama participated in a Boss Lift on Sept. 9-10 to Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.