BRAINTREE MA. 26 February, 2009 The Archdiocese of Boston held a Signing Ceremony of a Statement of Support for our nations Reserve and Guard Members today. Monsignor John McDonough, a 2-star retired Air Force General (Chaplain), signed the Statement of Support on behalf of Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley. Msgr. McDonough currently serves as the Interim Cabinet Secretary for Faith Formation & Evangelization in the Archdiocese. The event took place in the Auditorium of the Pastoral Center for the Archdiocese, 66 Brooks Dr, Braintree, MA.

The Very Reverend Richard M. Erikson, Phd., and V.G., (Vicar General) Moderator of the Curia, nominated Cardinal Seán for the Patriot Award. ESGR awards this certificate on behalf of the Department of Defense. It is presented to those employers who demonstrate exceptional support for our national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in National Guard and Reserve Activities. In remarks during the ceremony, Fr. Erikson, also an Air Force Colonel (Chaplain) said, "The Archdiocese of Boston is one of the leading dioceses in the country providing guard and reserve chaplains for our troops, veterans, civilian employees and their families. This signing ceremony today further demonstrates Cardinal Seán's care and support of those men and women in the Archdiocese of Boston and the United States of America who serve in our military!"

David St. Germain, Program Support Specialist of the Massachusetts Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, (MAESGR) said, "This signing of the Statement of Support by the Archdiocese of Boston, brings together two of our most respected institutions in the Commonwealth: the Catholic Church and the American Militia System. The first Militia in America was founded in 1620 and originated in Plymouth. We at ESGR are proud, not only of the support that Cardinal O'Malley provides to his military member priest's and lay people, but also of the many priests in the diocese who see the value of the military chaplain corps and who minister to the American Military every single day!"

The Massachusetts Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (MAESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the USERRA Law of 1994 and resolving conflicts through mediation. The MA Committee has more than 32 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier". On hand representing MAESGR and the coordinator of the ceremony was Program Support Specialist, Mr. Dave St. Germain. In addition to Mr. St. Germain, also attending the signing ceremony were MAESGR Members: Mr. Roger Fortin Awards Director, Mr. John Pelose, Area Chair for Eastern MA, Mr. Joachim-Ingo Borowski - Area Chair for Southeastern MA and an Ombudsman, and Mr. Gerry Hayes.