HAZEL TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, announced that Truck One recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.  

Truck One’s, Supervisor Jerry Betz was nominated for the Patriot Award by Staff Sgt. Mike Lucas of the 228thTransportation Battalion, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.  Lucas stated that “Jerry is very supportive towards my military obligation.”  

Rodger Diehl, Pennsylvania Area ESGR East Central Area volunteer, presented the Patriot Award to Betz.  In presenting the award, Diehl 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.”  

In addition to presenting a Patriot Award, Diehl obtained a Statement of Support from Truck One.  The Statement of Support confirms that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department 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 Diehl.  “I am asking all East Central Area 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.”

The Truck One joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces.  Diehl added: “By signing the Statement of Support, The Pennsylvania Treasury Department 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 program, 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.