TELFORD, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that IRP Meat and Produce recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
IRP Meat and Produce’s Vice President Brad Hinderliter was nominated for the Patriot Award by Spc. Tim Halterman who is a mortar man in the 1st of the 111th Infantry of the 56th Stryker Brigade. Halterman stated that “Brad makes it easy for me to attend drills, participate in mobilizations for COVID support and civil unrest in Philadelphia, and extended training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California”
Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Southeast Area ESGR Chair and Pennsylvania State Chair Emeritus, presented the Patriot Award to Hinderliter . In presenting the award, Craig 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.” Craig 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 a Patriot Award, Craig obtained a Statement of Support from the IRP Meat and Produce. The Statement of Support confirms that IRP Meat and Produce 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 Craig. “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.”
IRP Meat and Produce joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Craig added: “By signing the Statement of Support, the IRP Meat and Produce 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 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.