Newport, NH – Mr Ted Kehr, Chairman of the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that the Sugar River Bank received a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Thursday, November 19, 2009.  The recognition ceremony took place at their Newport, NH location, with the presentation being made by Chairman Kehr and Executive Director Jim Goss of the NH Committee.

The Statement of Support confirms that the Sugar River Bank joins other employers in pledging that:

• We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).

• Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
 
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.  I am asking all New Hampshire employers to review and if necessary amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA),” said Chairman Kehr.  “Many state and local employers provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support to current and former members of our military services, and to these companies we offer tremendous thanks”.

When asked about the criteria, Chairman Kehr said “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, the Sugar River Bank will stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life.  Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation”.

In accepting this recognition, Bank President Mark Pitkin stated, “We are both pleased and honored to receive such recognition.  We will proudly display this award for all of our employees and customers to see, as a sign of our support of the men and women who serve in today’s military forces”.  The award ceremony took place during the employee training and recognition program and was coordinated by Heidi Patten, Human Resources Director for the bank.  She learned about the ESGR program while attending a seminar on “Understanding Military Deployment”, held recently in West Lebanon. A duplicate Statement of Support will be prepared for each branch office to display.

“The employees of the Sugar River Bank join a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added Chairman Kehr. “By accepting this Statement of Support, they are sending a clear message to the employment community that they are true Patriots”.

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 law, and resolving conflicts through informal mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Jim Goss, Executive Director of the New Hampshire ESGR Committee, at (603) 225-1342.