Delaware ESGR Volunteer Richard Ruben, along with The Honorable Pat Stombaugh, Mayor of Smyrna, honored the Delaware Emergency Management Agency with an Above & Beyond Award, in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.  The presentation took place at the agency’s Smyrna, DE facility.   The employer has received a Patriot Award in the last year, as well as participated in past ESGR events.  

DEMA, an agency of the State of Delaware, provides generous benefits for its military employees which includes continuation of medical benefits, as well as 15 paid leave days for military duty annually.   DEMA’s leader, Mr. Jamie Turner is highly supportive of National Guard or Reserve service -- even when military employees are called to duty on short notice or for multiple deployments.  Fellow DEMA staff are known to keep in touch with my family, when a military employee is deployed on active duty. 

According to Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR Executive Director, “ESGR’s Above and Beyond Award continues with our mission to recognize outstanding supportive employers.  The Award is selected by each state’s ESGR field office, and is given in limited numbers.  It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees.  We are pleased to recognize the Delaware Emergency Management Agency for their outstanding support of employees who serve in our armed forces.” 

About ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency with a mission to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service.  ESGR provides free education and consultation on USERRA law, and if necessary mediation for civilian employers of Guard and Reserve employees.   All Delaware employers are encouraged to sign their Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.  For more information on this, and ESGR Employer Outreach and Education Programs, please contact Christine Kubik, Executive Director of the Delaware ESGR, at (302) 326-7582.