LANCASTER, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that the Lancaster County Prison recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.    

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year.

Lancaster County Prison Warden Cheryl Steberger was nominated for the Patriot Award by Cpl. Joseph Bender who is a member of the 1069th Military Police Company of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.  

In nominating Steberger, Bender said: “Warden Steberger made it very easy for me to transition from pre-deployment and post-deployment. She is always very understanding of my service and the service of other Guard and Reserve employees.”

James Astor, a Pennsylvania South-Central Area ESGR Chair, presented the Patriot Awards to Steberger.  In presenting the awards, Astor commented: “It was an honor to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces.”  

In addition to presenting a Patriot Award to Steberger, Astor obtained a Statement of Support from Steberger.  The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• 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 Guard and Reserve units,” said Astor.  “I am asking all South-Central Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.”  Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

Lancaster County Prison joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies, and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces.  

Astor went on to say, “By signing the Statement of Support, Lancaster County Prison is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.” 

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective, and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.  

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.