DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Tohickon Middle School 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 and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Vice Principal Dr. Matthew Fash was nominated for the Patriot Award by Staff Sgt. Daniel Ashworth who is a member of the Army Reserve’s Alpha Company of the 3rd Battalion, 304th Training Brigade. This unique unit provides support for basic soldier skills training to the cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

In nominating Fash for the Patriot Award, Ashworth stated, “Dr. Fash and his entire staff are always accommodating when I must leave for drill or (traditional two-week) annual training. They always ensure I have the time off I need to fulfill my military obligations.” Ashworth added: “Dr. Fash runs a veterans’ outreach program that invites veterans to the school for discussions with students about their military service.”

Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Chair Emeritus and Southeast Area Chair, presented the Patriot Award to Fash and 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.” Craig 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.”

In addition to presenting the Patriot Award, Craig obtained a Statement of Support from Fash who stated, “We are very honored to be recognized with this award and support those who serve in the Reserve Forces.” 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.

Tohickon Middle School 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, Tohickon Middle School 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.”

“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.” Craig also noted that many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements under the USERRA law and offer pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, an extension of health care benefits to 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, 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): Staff Sgt Ashworth, Patriot Award recipient Dr. Fash, and ESGR Area Chair Craig.