PHILLIPSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Diamondback Truck Covers recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania 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.

Diamondback Truck Covers’ Facilities and Maintenance Manager Adam Vargas was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Richard Clark, a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s A Company, Second Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment stationed in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Clark stated, “Adam supported me in numerous ways throughout my deployment. He stayed in touch to make sure I was doing okay and sent me care packages. He also took me out for dinner when I returned from active duty. Adam is a caring and respectful leader, and I appreciate his support of my service in the Guard.”


William Burkhard, Pennsylvania North–Central Area ESGR Chair, presented the Patriot Award to Vargas. In presenting the award, Burkhard commented: “I know first-hand how critical it is to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces.”


In addition to presenting the Patriot Award, Burkhard obtained a Statement of Support from Vargas. 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.
•

Diamondback Truck Covers joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Burkhard added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Diamondback Truck Covers, 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.”

Burkhard said: “Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all North–Central Pennsylvania employers to 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, 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.

Photo (L–R): Sgt. Clark and Patriot Award recipient Vargas