With the insight of WI ESGR full time staff member Doris Schmitt, the Wisconsin Committee of ESGR received a proclamation from The Office of the Governor, State of Wisconsin declaring the week of September 18th 2011 as Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. 

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) was presented with the Patriot Award from the Georgia Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (GA ESGR). The award recognizes employers for their support of National Guard and Reserve members. During the award presentation ceremony, Congressman Bishop received a Department of Defense Patriot Award Certificate and a Patriot lapel pin. Congressman Bishop was nominated for the Patriot Award by Captain Michael Bryant of the National Guard.  CPT Bryant is an employee of the Office of the U.S. Congressman Bishop. 

First State Bank President John Doffing was presented Wednesday morning with the “Seven Seals Award” by Jim Sullivan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.   

Belinda Perea, supervisor with Wal-Mart Headquarters, was nominated for being highly supportive of the National Guard and Reserve by Sergeant Jake Day, a Technical Inspector for Blackhawk Helicopters with the Arkansas Army National Guard. Jake and his unit are currently deployed to Kosovo.
 

ARLINGTON, Va. – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, honored 15 employers September 22nd with the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Prior to the ceremony, recipients met privately with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.  During this meeting, the recipients presented Secretary Panetta with the first Statement of Support signed under his watch. 

Atlanta, GA – Georgia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (GA ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Tony Strange, Chairman and CEO, Gentiva was honored with a ‘Patriot’ Award for support of his employees who serve in the Georgia National Guard and Reserve. 
 

Monroe, LA - The Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Mr. Jerry Butler with Domino’s Pizza in Monroe, LA was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee(s) who serve in the Louisiana National Guard and Reserve. 

The Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Angela M. Nolan of JP Morgan Chase was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee(s) who serve in the Louisiana National Guard and Reserve.

When four paratroopers jump from a Chinook helicopter at 1.500 feet and land in the field behind an elementary school in West Kingston one my not think they are forming a bond between civilian employers and the military.

When representatives of Rhode Island's ESGR got together with Leadership Rhode Island for an informative and fun day of flying in the new C-130-J military aircraft from Quonset, and watching the navy train at Newport, the reality of civilians defending our country became clear for any business organization losing part its workforce to national security.
    

DES MOINES, Iowa – September 12, 2011 – Three Iowa employers received the Iowa ESGR Governor’s Awards in a ceremony today by Governor Terry Branstad. Dick Rue, chairman of the Iowa Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and other ESGR officials joined in the ceremony.  In addition, Governor Branstad signed a Proclamation designating the week of Sept. 18 – 24 as Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (DE-ESGR) held its 2011 Employer Recognition Banquet on Thursday, September 8, 2011, in Dover, Delaware to recognize employers who provide extraordinary support to employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.   The state’s top honor, the Pro Patria Award, was presented to Kent County Levy Court.   County Commissioner President P. Brooks Banta, and County Administrator Michael Petit de Mange, attended and accepted the award on the organization’s behalf.

Since September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Generation has borne the burden of war with courage and valor, continuing the legacy of the brave men and women who served before them.  More than five million volunteers have worn our country's uniform over the past 10 years, and thousands have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Making up nearly half of our military power, the National Guard and Reserve are vital to our operations at home and abroad.

September 8, 2011, Payson, Arizona, Town of Payson, Arizona Mayor Kenny Evans presents Arizona Office for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Staff  Member, Butch Wise a Proclamation declaring the week of September 19-23, 2011 as Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

Mr. Darren Venters(L), Chairman, Southern Arizona ESGR Committee, accepting a proclamation from Mr. Ray Carroll(R), Supervisor, District 4, Pima County Board of Supervisors in Tucson, Arizona on 6 September, 2011.  

Target rich environment for Statement of Support signings from exhibitors at last month's National Guard Association of the United States Annual Conference in Milwaukee. Attached photo shows Patriot Taxiway Industries President Steve Smits (second from left) with (L to R) Capt Kristin Rebholz-Hatten, WI Air National Guard; Jim Rebholz, National Chairman, ESGR; MAJ Lekesha Hance, Public Affairs Officer ESGR; and Kevin McDermott Vice President of Business Development for Patriot Taxiway.
 

Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), presented a Patriot Award to The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit on September 1, 2011 for outstanding support of the Guard and Reserve.

Seattle, Washington – The Washington Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Gene Raisanen, Operations Manager for Delta Air Lines Cargo Operations in Seattle, was honored with the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the United States Air Force Reserve.

White House Calls for Service on 9/11 Anniversary:  President Barack Obama has renewed his annual message for Americans to devote the 9/11 anniversary to a day of service, a White House official said today...

Read more and see more photos at Defense.gov

Mandeville, LA– Jimmy Rogers, Florida Parishes Sector Chair of the Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Mr. Geoff Hingle, President and CEO of PMO Link signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Friday, 26 August, 2011. The signing ceremony was at the PMO Link Office.  
 

San Jose, California: On Tuesday,  July 26, 2011, California ESGR volunteers James D. Franklin, Thomas Clausen. and John Woolley, presented The Patriot Award and The Statement of Support to Mr. Paul Sanchirico, Vice President with Cisco Systems of San Jose, CA. Mr Sanchirico was nominated by Captain Jon (Ed) Novak, HHC 26th MEB, United States Army National Guard, home based in Reading, MA.

Chief of Police, Michael McNeil of the Lumberton, North Carolina Police Department receives a “My Boss Is a Patriot” award from Jim Rorie; Awards Chairman, North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).  Chief McNeil was nominated for the Patriot Award by Specialist Ronald B Chavis, Company B, 1/120th CAB, NC ARNG in Lumberton. 
 

City of Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton proclaimed Wednesday, August 10, 2011, as a day to celebrate Tennessee National Guard and Reserve Members and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and encourage citizens to show appreciation accordingly.  Pictured are TN ESGR Memphis Area Chair, Joe Kyles, Mayor Wharton, and TN ESGR Chair, Carl Lambert. 

Outgoing New Mexico State Chair Crawford "Budgie" Green, right, officially "hands over" the ESGR flag to incoming Field Chair Ray Battaglini during a Change of Command Ceremony at a summer 2011 New Mexico State Committee meeting of area chairs and select executive council members held in Pojoaque, New Mexico. Green will complete a three-year term as chair the end of September. Battaglini has chaired a southeastern New Mexico ESGR committee for more than ten years.
 

Outgoing New Mexico State Chair Crawford "Budgie" Green, right, officially "hands over" the ESGR flag to incoming Field Chair Ray Battaglini during a Change of Command Ceremony at a summer 2011 New Mexico State Committee meeting of area chairs and select executive council members held in Pojoaque, New Mexico. Green will complete a three-year term as chair the end of September. Battaglini has chaired a southeastern New Mexico ESGR committee for more than ten years.
 

Gretna, Louisiana – The Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today the Gretna Police Department Chief of Police Arthur Lawson, Deputy Chief of Police Anthony Christiana and LT Jason DiMarco were honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of their employees who serve in the Louisiana National Guard and Reserve.

Cannon Beach, OR: California volunteers, Dennis and Cheryl DeNoi, while on an extended trip of the Northwest in their motor home had a unique and international Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) encounter while camping at Cannon Beach RV Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

With the sun setting over the Waikiki Beach, the Hawaii Committee held its Annual Award Banquet at the Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Marriott, August 13, 2011. 

On Saturday, August 20, 2011, Hawaii ESGR volunteers Clyde and Arlene Yoshimura, presented a Patriot Award on behalf of the spouse of Army Reservist MSG Philip Vierra, to Russell Lee, manager of Hawaii Kai Costco Wholesale. 

The Old Army Reserve Building in Great Falls, Montana was filled to capacity with 72 employers and educators willing to showcase their jobs and education opportunities exclusively for Montana Reserve Component members, military spouses, and veterans during the Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Job and Education Fair held in mid-August. 

Bellevue, WA – The Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Barbara Murdock, Head Surgery Nurse at Overlake Hospital was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Washington National Guard and Reserve.

While the 219th Squadron of the Montana Air National Guard was deployed earlier this year in Afghanistan, it became clear that some of the Guard members would be unemployed upon their return to the United States.