LANGHORNE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Woods Services recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year.
Woods Services Christopher Selekpoh was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Alieu Kamara of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 252nd Quartermaster Company, Southampton, Pa. Kamara is currently deployed with his unit. In nominating Selekpoh for the Patriot Award, Kamara commented: “Chris and the Woods Service Company were always flexible with my schedule and made sure I had the time off to fulfill my requirements.”
Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was James Wong, Pennsylvania South East Area Volunteer. Wong 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.” Wong 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, Wong obtained a Statement of Support from Tine Hansen-Turton, Chief Executive Officer of Woods Services; also participating in the signing was Cheryl Kauffman, Senior Vice President of Communications and Development. The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:
Hansen-Turton highlighted the fact that employees who have military experience fit well within the Woods Services structure as they continue to develop and grow leaders from within the employee ranks; they desire to hire more of these talented and quality individuals.
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Wong. “I am asking all South East 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.”
Woods Services joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Wong added: “By signing the Statement of Support, the Woods Services 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.