HERSHEY, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a supervisor in the Center Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the 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.

Unit Manager Kristin Holjes was nominated for the Patriot Award by 1st Lt. Caitrin Cosgrove, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annivlle, Pennsylvania.
In nominating Holjes, 1st Lt. Caitrin Cosgrove stated: “Kristin is extremely supportive of me since I rejoined the military. She wrote a great letter of recommendation for my Army nursing packet, made herself familiar with the medical center's military leave policy and sent me instructions on how manage my leave account. Kristin is always very approachable; she immediately adjusts the work schedule when I have a drill conflict, and never makes me feel guilty for missing work. She always wishes me well when I have training.”

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was James Astor, Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair. Astor commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Astor added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.”

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, a 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/PA
Photo (L–R): Pennsylvania ESGR South-Central Area Chair James Astor and Patriot Award recipient Kristin Holjes, and 1st Lt. Caitrin Cosgrove.