HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) announced that a Harnden Construction Services, LLC recently received two Patriot Awards and a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts of employers to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family.

The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The Seven Seals Award is presented in “recognition of meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women that serve in the National Guard and Reserve forces”.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with Patriot and Seven Seals Awards for their strong and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Harnden Construction Services, LLC Owner and Founder Chuck Harnden along with Executive Vice President Phil Maurer were nominate for Patriot Awards by Sgt. Mark Gouker who is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s “A” Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Division stationed in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

In nominating Harnden and Maurer, Sgt. Gouker stated: “Mr. Harnden is a Vietnam Veteran who was in the 101st Airborne; he, Mr. Maurer & all at Harnden Construction Services, LLC are committed to every veteran employee in the company. They are understanding of my absence when training or deployed. While recently deployed they sent over 15 care boxes of comfort items, enough for the entire platoon. The company recently completed a "Court of Honor" at the Chocolate Town Park Town Square to honor veterans from the Hershey area. Mr. Harnden, Mr. Maurer and the company deserve to be recognized for their dedication to our nation's veterans.”

Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair James Astor presented the Patriot and Seven Seals Awards 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.” 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 Seven Seals Awards, Astor obtained a Statement of Support from Harnden. 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.

Harnden Construction Services, LLC 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, Harnden Construction Services, LLC 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

Photo (L-R): Owner and Founder Harnden, Sgt. Gouker, and Executive Vice President Maurer