ARLINGTON, Va. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s State Chair Marty Kuhar had the privilege and honor to participate in ESGR’s 50th Anniversary celebration at the Pentagon June 22. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to represent Pennsylvania committee members, employers and Guard and Reserve members that preserve and protect our freedoms.
Department of Defense COVID restriction limited the number of attendees at the anniversary recognition ceremony. In addition to speakers and dignitaries present in the Pentagon auditorium, Kuhar was joined by the State Chairs from Maryland and West Virginia; also in attendance was the Vice Chair from California, and a long-term volunteer from Louisiana.
Kuhar said that there were many inspiring comments about ESGR’s 50-year accomplishments by National Chair – Ron Bogle, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel Readiness The Honorable Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., GM Defense CEO – Steve duMont, and one of ESGR’s founding member – Kimball Firestone. Highlights of the ceremony included a video showing ESGR’s 50 years of accomplishments in support of employers and service members; and, the saber cutting of six ceremonial cakes.
A Statement of Support was signed by GM’s duMont reaffirm the company’s support of ESGR’s mission and member of the Reserve forces; duMont presented to Bogle. GM was the first company to sign a Statement of Support on December 13, 1972; President Nixon signed one the following day to cover all Federal civilian employees who serve in the Reserve forces. The Statement of Support confirms that GM joins other employers in pledging:
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Kuhar. “I am asking all 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.”
GM joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Kuhar added: “By signing the Statement of Support, GM 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.
Photo: Pennsylvania ESGR State Chair Marty Kuhar at the Pentagon to celebrate ESGR’s 50th Anniversary.