PENN ARGYL, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that the Waste Management of Pennsylvania Fleet Manager 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.

Waste Management of Pennsylvania’s Fleet Manager Bruce Archer was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. David Hartranft who is a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard’s 250th Brigade Support Battalion located in Westfield.

In nominating Archer, Sgt. Hartranft stated: “Bruce purchased everyone in the shop work shirts that read, "Honoring those who served". He also provided Olive Drab green backpacks with sown on military unit patches. Bruce hung the military branch flags in the shop with the Army flag above my bay. He has always been willing to adjust my work scheduled so that I could be better prepared for drill, annual training, and missions. Bruce always makes sure I have time off to recuperate when I return from duty.”

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Joe Gentile, Pennsylvania East-Central Area Chair. Gentile 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.” Gentile 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.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Gentile. “I am asking all East–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.”

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): Patriot Award recipient Archer and PA-ESGR East-Central Area Chair Gentile.