CHELTENHAM, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Cheltenham High School 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. 

Cheltenham High School’s Dr. Ben Hammond and Dr. Brian Kelley were nominated for the Patriot Award by Staff Sgt. Andy Filipczak for their outstanding support of his service as a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Southeast Area Chair and State Chair Emeritus.  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.”  

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.