HARRSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a Commonwealth Charter Academy supervisor recently received 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. Commonwealth Charter Academy’s Principal Kelly Musser, Special Education Supervisor Kenesta Mack, and Leave Specialist Ruthann Getten, were nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. 1st Class David Musser, who is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves 113th Chaplain Detachment-Alpha, Belle Chasse, Louisiana. In nominating Kelley Musser, Mack and Getten, Sgt. 1st Class Musser stated: “Commonwealth Charter Academy provides me paid military leave and benefits each year. They coordinate substitute teachers, and case managers, to cover my work when I'm away. When I return, they give me time to organize, prepare, and meet students before resuming my teaching duties. Kenesta, Kelly, and Ruthann have been especially supportive and accommodating to my military schedule.” Presenting the awards on behalf of ESGR was James Astor, Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair. Astor and South-Central Area Vice Chair Reginald Green. 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.” In addition to presenting the Patriot Awards, Astor obtained a Statement of Support from Commonwealth Charter Academy’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas Longenecker. 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. Commonwealth Charter Academy 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, Commonwealth Charter Academy 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 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.” 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 Group Photo (L-R): ESGR South-Central Area Vice Chair Green, the three Patriot Award recipients: Leave Specialist Getten; Principal Musser; Special Education Supervisor Mack; followed by CEO Longenecker, ESGR South-Central Area Chair Astor, and Sgt. 1st Class Musser. Photo 1 (L-R): South-Central Area Vice Chair Green, Patriot Award recipient Special Education Supervisor Mack, Sgt. 1st Class Musser, and ESGR Area Chair Astor. Photo 2 (L-R): South-Central Area Vice Chair Green, Patriot Award recipient Principal Musser, Sgt. 1st Class Musser, and ESGR Area Chair Astor. Photo 3 (L-R): South-Central Area Vice Chair Green, Patriot Award recipient Leave Specialist Getten, Sgt. 1st Class Musser, and ESGR Area Chair Astor.