CHALFONT, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that D.R. Cordell 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.
D.R. Cordell Supervisor Johnny Sanchez was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Tim Bean who serves in the 252nd Quartermaster Company of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Southeast Area ESGR Chair and State Chair Emeritus, presented the Patriot Award Sanchez. In presenting the awards, Craig commented: “I know first-hand how critical it is to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces.”
Bean told Craig: “Johnny Sanchez understands the ‘call to duty’ and never holds my military service against me; he appreciates the responsibility and dedication that has been taught to me by my military service. Johnny makes sure everything is OK when I leave for military training and helps boost my morale when I am away by keeping in touch with my family and offering any help they may need.”
In addition to presenting a Patriot Award to Sanchez, Craig obtained a Statement of Support from D.R. Cordell’s President Chris Cordell. In signing the statement, Cordell told Craig: “I want to hire more people that have Sgt. Bean’s work ethic and sense of responsibility.”
The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Craig. “I am asking all Southeast 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.”
D.R. Cordell joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Craig added: “By signing the Statement of Support, D.R. Cordell 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.