CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced today AmerisourceBergen received the ESGR Pro Patria Award in recognition of the extraordinary support of the company’s employees who serve in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve. 

“The ESGR Pro Patria Award was created to publicly recognize U.S. employers providing extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Jeffrey Hill, Pennsylvania ESGR Southeastern Area Volunteer.  Hill added: “Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

Hill said: “National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units. By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”

Hill presented the Pro Patria Award to Mark Spykerman, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer and Veterans in Action ERG Executive Champion.  Also participating in the award presentation was Marine Corps Reservist Lt. Col. Jeff Buck who has over 10 years of active service in addition to his active Reserve career.

In addition to presenting a Pro Patria Award, Hill obtained a Statement of Support from AmerisourceBergen.  The Statement of Support confirms that AmerisourceBergen 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 Hill.  “I am asking all Southeastern 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 AmerisourceBergen joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces.  Hill added: “By signing the Statement of Support, AmerisourceBergen 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 is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. 

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.