LYNCHBURG, Va. - On Tuesday, May 25th, the Honorable Joan F. Foster, Mayor of the City of Lynchburg, Virginia, signed and ESGR Statement of Support. The Statement of Support was signed during the City Council's monthly, public city council meeting before an audience of over 50 people and covered on the city's local, public access television channel.

Thomas M. Stephen, Program Support Specialist for the Virginia ESGR field office and Mr. Grant Risinger, Virginia ESGR volunteer and resident of Lynchburg, represented ESGR at this event. Mr. Stephen informed all in attendance that "civilian employer support is critical to the success of this nation's all volunteer force". Mr. Stephen indicated that forty-eight per cent of the nation's military service members are serving in the National Guard or one of six other reserve components.

Mayor Foster and Vice Mayor Bert Dodson, indicated that Lynchburg has a proud history of supporting their employees who also serve in the Guard and Reserve. Currently the city has approximately 25 active employees, who serve in the Guard and Reserve. By signing the Statement of Support the city leadership recognizes the value that these employees bring to their municipal jobs as a byproduct of their military training and service. The city has pledged to abide by the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and to provide city management and supervisory personnel with the tools and training they need to effectively manage these dual role employees.