BOURNE, MA. June 5, 2009. On an overcast and rainy South-Coast morning, sixty-seven civilian employers of members of the National Guard & Reserve Components gathered at 0800 Hours at the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office to begin a day of visits to units of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Welcome aboard greetings were given by MAESGR Field Chair Tom Boyle, Program Support Specialist Dave St. Germain who organized and coordinated the event and Deputy Sheriff Dave Neil representing Sheriff Cummings and the 353 Men and Women of the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department. The employers and MA ESGR Guides loaded onto busses provided by the 102nd Intelligence Wing of the MA Air National Guard and were transported between all venues for the remainder of the day.
The first stop was to Tactical Training Base Kelley, a full scale mock up of an U.S. Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) camp in Iraq and Afghanistan. The facility is used to familiarize the mobilized soldiers with life in the Middle East. During the presentation, the employers and MA ESGR Committee Members received a surprise visit from Brigadier General Thomas J. Sellars, The Land Component Commander, Massachusetts Army National Guard who thanked the employers for their dedication and sacrifices they make every day to allow their guard and reserve employees to serve without employment and family worries.
The next stop was the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and their aviation facilities. Here, the group was briefed by helicopter and Falcon Jet Pilots. The employers were shown a video of the length and scope of the search and rescue area of this Cape Cod Facility as well as their home land security mission. This same station recently made national headlines when they rescued a French National after his failed attempt to row his one man craft across the Atlantic Ocean to France. Most were also surprised to know that the Coast Guard works hand and glove with The State Environmental Police. Following the brief, the employers were admitted to the hanger and were allowed to explore a search and rescue helicopter, the specially modified Falcon Jet and a modified heavily armed patrol craft about to deploy with a Coast Guard Reserve Unit to the Middle East. A group photo was taken by the Falcon Jet.
After completing a short sightseeing tour of the Otis Air National Guard section of the Massachusetts Military Reservation the employers gathered in the "Great Room" of the 253rd Combat Communications Group. Briefs were given by The Commanding Officer of the 102nd Intelligence Wing Colonel "Kimo" Schiavi and the Commander of the 253rd CCG, Lieutenant Colonel Art Wunder. Both Commanders stressed the importance of the reservists in their respective commands and they too thanked the group for their tremendous support of their employees. A number of officer and enlisted personnel joined in with the employers and were all treated to a wonderful luncheon in the facility.
During the luncheon, MA ESGR Committee Field Chair Boyle held an awards ceremony and presented numerous major awards to employers who were present. Those employers were:
Edward Deveau, Chief of Police of Watertown, MA and members of his department were awarded the Seven Seals Award for outstanding support of the military.
William Moore also awarded the Seven Seals Award for his actions on behalf of military members and veterans.
Michael Hannigan, accepted the Above & Beyond Award and the Patriot Award, on behalf of Kay Gee Sign & Graphics, Co.
David Miller, Vice President of Utility Services of New England was awarded the Patriot Award.
Over fifty employers signed a Statement of Support for the Guard & Reserve and there were an additional fourteen signed by employers who could not be there this day.
The most exciting event of this memorable day followed the repast. The Cape Cod and New England sky cleared long enough for the employers to get the thrill and experience of a lifetime. They were all treated to Blackhawk Helicopter orientation flights piloted by combat hardened Middle East War Veterans. The skilled pilots impressed their passengers with authentic training maneuvers during the planned training flights. Needless to say, the culmination of their day left an enduring mark on the entire group as well as a profound and extremely deep appreciation of their employees' dedication and service to their country. Aside from being the best attended "Employer Appreciation Day" ever held here, it was by far the most informative and exciting.
The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 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 35 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier". On hand representing MA ESGR were: Field Chair Tom Boyle, Holly Boyko, Joachim-Ingo "Ski" Borowski, Bob Pomeroy, Rob Moberg, Roger Fortin, Earl Bonett, John Pelose, Wayne Theroux, Bill Napert, Jr. and Dave St. Germain.