UCLA employs the third largest number of veterans in the Los Angeles area, only exceeded by the L.A. City and County Governments.

(Los Angeles CA) The Southern California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, is proud to announce that the UCLA Chancellor, Gene D. Block, recently signed a Statement of Support on behalf of the university.  A Statement of Support is a symbolic document that states that you, as an employer, support the mission of your Guard and Reservists and that you are aware of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA), a federal law that protects our citizen warriors.

On a picture perfect Southern California day, the UCLA Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony was held at Wilson Plaza on the UCLA campus and was hosted by the Commanding Officer of the ROTC. The ceremony was the University’s way to honor UCLA student/veterans, both past and present.  The event also honored the UCLA Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and midshipmen and in addition, honored UCLA students, alumni, faculty and staff who have given their lives to preserve our freedom. Our ESGR committee was represented by Major General Peter Gravett (Ret.), the Southern California Committee Chair and volunteers; Col. Blanche Gravett (Ret.), Col. Tom Jones (Ret.) and Tanya Pham.

The ceremony began with an ROTC formation consisting of Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force cadets and midshipmen on line in their dress uniforms. Following the National Anthem, sung by a cadet, there was a moment of silence for those student/veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, including a 2006 Army Second Lieutenant killed in Iraq this year. Chancellor Gene Block then took center stage along with Major General (Ret.) Peter Gravett, where a Statement of Support was signed. UCLA employs the third largest number of veterans in the Los Angeles area, only exceeded by the L.A. City and County Governments. Speakers at the ceremony included Army Brigadier General Megan Tatu, UCLA Class of 1978, Dr. Timothy Miller, MD, UCLA Class of 1963 and a Vietnam Veteran and Air Force Captain Jamila Hammad, a C-17 Pilot from the UCLA Class of 2004 and who had just returned from Iraq the day prior to the veteran’s ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "Taps" were played with everyone standing at solemn, but proudly at attention. Following the event, which was attended by upwards of 200 people, an open house was held where attendees were able to gather materials from the ESGR and other veteran and military associated booths set up for their convenience. 

Col. Jones, a long-time ESGR volunteer and UCLA alumnus, stated that he was privileged to be seated next to one of our Nation’s wounded warriors that is currently receiving treatment at the Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center.  In fact, Col. Jones, upon learning that the soldier was a Harley-Davidson aficionado, offered him free repairs or services at any of Jones’ Harley-Davidson dealerships. “I feel that is the least I can do for this soldier who sacrificed so much for our country”, stated Col. Jones. 

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has proudly served our nation’s Guard and Reservists since the inception of the all-volunteer military. “Almost half of our military force resides in the Reserve Component, which is comprised of the seven elements of the National Guard and Reserve.  The men and women who serve in the Reserve Component are unique in that they also have civilian employers.  Support of the America’s employers and the employees they share with the nations ensures the viability of the all-volunteer force, and thus our national security.  We applaud employers who practice personnel policies that support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve, according to Major General (Ret.) Peter Gravett, ESGR’s Southern California Chair.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR provides education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.  More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the Southern California Committee of the ESGR at 562-936-1746.