On January 5th, Colorado Springs Utility Company employees gave a surprise welcome back party for Navy Chief Chris Ortiz, on his return from Iraq after a year’s deployment. Approximately 70 employees of the company welcomed him home, with balloons, food, hugs, and many welcome home signs.
 

Halethorpe, Maryland.  Jason Orsino, Vice President of 1st Response Medical Transportation Corporation, confirmed the company’s support for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve on January 19, 2012 by signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.  1st Response Medical Transportation Corporation is a family owned and operated patient transportation company dedicated to providing high quality, professional service that is centered on dignity and respect. 

Millersville, Maryland.  Anne Arundel County Fire Chief John Robert Ray confirmed his support for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve on January 17, 2012 by signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.

On Friday, 13 January 2012, Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell signed a Statement of Support with ESGR. Present at the signing were PST Jamie Abordonado, Director of Joint Staff Alaska National Guard Brigadier General Deborah McManus, State Chair Alaska Committee ESGR Rich Owens and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell.

Hot Springs, Arkansas – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that the Hot Springs Intermediate School and Principal Becky Rosburg were honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that that Taylor Latimar, Manager of the Taylor Latimar Agency, Farmer’s Insurance Group was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

WVO associates around the globe serve our country each year by enlisting in the military as a member of the Reserves. These brave men and women perform part-time duties and rotate through different positions including combat support, service support, nation-building and civil support capabilities. Their dedication to supporting our full-time armed forces is commendable and together they protect the freedom that our country’s foundation is based upon.

Dallas, Fort Worth, TX – Dr. Jerry Icenhower, P.E., Chair of the Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on Sunday, December 30, 2011.  The signing ceremony occurred at the Armed Forces Bowl festivities in front of special invitees and marks the beginning of a lasting relationship between ESGR and Mr. Sinise.

The saying goes “All roads lead to Rome.” However, in Ravalli County, all roads lead to picturesque settings in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.  No one else knows this better than the man responsible for all roads in the area than Ravalli County Road Supervisor David Ohnstad of Hamilton, MT. 
 

2010 Above and Beyond Awardees participated in a best practices panel discussion at Marquette University's Employer Advisory Board.

NEW BRUNSWICK — WCTC radio, “The Voice of Central Jersey,” was recognized Jan. 5 by the New Jersey Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for its role in promoting the hiring of veterans. WCTC received a personalized statement of support from the Guard and Reserve in acknowledgment of the station’s efforts in promoting this vital and important cause.

The Kansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, presented an ESGR Patriot Award to Secretary of State Kris Kobach on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m.  The ceremony was held in the first floor lobby of Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave.  During the ceremony Kobach signed the ESGR Statement of Support.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented a “My Boss is a Patriot” award to Sarah Phalen, President and CEO of Illinois National Bank, on December 16, 2011 at the bank’s main facility in Springfield.

The Starbuck Coffee Company, Maumelle Arkansas, signed a Statement of Support insuring their support of the National Guard and Reserve.

Gary Sinise and Dr. Jerry Icenhower (Texas State Chair) display the Statements of Support Mr. Sinise signed, for himself and the Lt. Dan Band, back stage prior to performing at the conclusion of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Dallas, TX, on December 30, 2011. 

Photo by Tim Thone - West Baden Springs Police Officer Jason Kendall, left, presents Police Chief David Atchison with a Patriotic Employer Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defence Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

AASF#3, Mather, CA: More than 35 employers were honored by their California Army National Guard employees for the support they provide the Soldiers to let them serve their community, state, and country.
 

On December 28, 2011, the Honorable Mayor Mark Stodola of the City of Little Rock, AR signed an ESGR Statement of Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Bellevue, WA – The Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today the Phyllis Ferraris of Mortenson Construction was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leaders, sitting, take turns signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support  Dec. 21, pledging their commitment to more than 13,000 Guard and Reserve members who train here.

(SMYRNA, DE)- Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, is proud to announce that Frank B. Ingraham, Jr. of Newark, DE was recently selected and named as the new Chair for Delaware.

Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Volunteer Angela Showell honored the Jeff Ellena of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, DE, in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.   The recipient was nominated by employee SPC Christopher O'Connell who also serves in the US Army Reserve's 673rd Quarter Master Company Mortuary Affairs unit, Dover, DE.  

Jill Kienow, Human Resource Director of Clovis Community Medical Center, was nominated for a Department of Defense Patriotic Award and she signed a Department of Defense Statement of Support.

Aroostook County -  The efforts of Northern Maine Community College and its employees to support the U.S. military, specifically the efforts of national guardsmen and women, were recognized today in a surprise ceremony for employees attending the annual campus holiday gathering.

Hines Recognized with Prestigious Award for Patriotic Support of the Military Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital received the prestigious Seven Seals Award from the Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), today in a special ceremony. 

EAW held at the NG Training Site in Smyrna, TN on 14-16 December was a very successful event.  There were a total of 23 soldiers participating in the workshop and when they were finished on noon Thursday, the went into the next room where 46 employers (who were hiring) awaited them. 

Little Rock, Arkansas, December 19, 2011 – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that The Pulaski County Assessor, Janet Troutman Ward was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

Little Rock, Arkansas, December 19, 2011 – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that The Pulaski County Assessor, Janet Troutman Ward was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the employees who serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve.

New Orleans, LA - Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, signs a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve in the commander's conference room here Dec. 19, 2011. The statement of support program has been the cornerstone of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves effort to gain and maintain employer support. The intent of the program is to increase employer support of the Guard and Reserve by developing employers that advocate for employee participation in the military.  
 

Annapolis, Maryland.  Maryland State Senator James E. DeGrange, Sr. confirmed his support for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve on December 16, 2011 by signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.
 

Monroe, LA- On November19, 2011 members and guests of the Louisiana Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (LAESGR) gathered on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in American's Armed Forces. This is the twelfth year that members of the Northeast Area of the LAESGR organized and managed this popular event.

California Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Chairman Mr. Andrew Wiktorowicz discussed the new H2H.jobs (HERO2HIRED) program with California National Guard Leadership during a trip to Joint Forces Headquarters in Sacramento.  This new employment program will bring much need employment resources to California which has over 63,000 Citizen Warriors in the state.   California ESGR is working with the all of the Commands of the Reserve component to battle the “War on Unemployment”. 

The Golden East (Rocky Mount, NC) chapter president, Christina Seigil signed a Statement of Support at their December meeting. Darrell Johnson, ESGR North Carolina, spoke to the group about the importance of hiring Guard and Reservists in 2012.   "It is an honor for our chapter to join all of the other SHRM chapters across North Carolina and the US in support of the men and women that service our country" stated Ms. Seigil.
 

ARLINGTON, Va. – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Defense Department agency, is calling on Guard and Reserve members to nominate their supportive employers for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the January 16 deadline. The Freedom Award is the Defense Department’s highest recognition for civilian employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. All employers - large, small and public - are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at www.FreedomAward.mil.