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ESGR in the News

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COLUMBIA, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that ImageFIRST 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 Awards for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Dewey Oriente, ImageFIRST Regional Vice President was nominated for the Patriot Award by Maj. Edward Spinelli who is an Army Reserve officer serving in the North Atlantic Division of the Army Corps of Engineers.

In nominating Oriente, Maj. Spinelli stated: “Dewey went above and beyond to support me when I started working at ImageFIRST. From the beginning, he was supportive of changing work schedules to facilitate my Reserve service. My Army Reserve team requested I serve two weeks to cover the Operations Cell at North Atlantic Division; Dewey did not hesitate to support the request. During that two-week period, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, and I was requested to stay on duty for an additional week to aid with government support addressing the situation. Those three weeks significantly disrupted Dewey's plan for my integration into the workforce. Throughout my extended duty period, Dewey was extremely supportive, remained in contact, and work with me throughout our mission at the collapsed bridge. The entire team at ImageFIRST is very supportive of me and the critical Army Corps of Engineers’ mission; they deserve recognition for all their support.”

Presenting the Awards 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 said: “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.”

In addition to presenting a Patriot Award, Astor obtained a Statement of Support from ImageFIRST General Manager Matthew Lewczyk. 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.”

ImageFIRST 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 added: “By signing the Statement of Support, ImageFIRST 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, 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): ESGR South–Central Area Chair Astor and Patriot Award recipient Dewey Oriente

Posted in: Pennsylvania
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