Guard, Reserve reach out to employers

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is teaming up with local Chambers of Commerce to salute local employers who have demonstrated exceptional support for their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

The initiative is part of a broad outreach program to provide information and assistance to employers, local professional business organizations, local government officials and Guard and Reserve people, officials said.

The program marks a shift for the Defense Department agency generally considered a resource for reserve component people, said Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR executive director.

"Saluting America's employers is the right thing to do, and this is the right time to do it," Mr. Hollingsworth said. "During this time of unprecedented mobilizations of the brave men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, the mission of ESGR has evolved from an emphasis on individual reservists to their employers."

The ESGR National Employer Outreach Program for 2004 will introduce a new five-star employer support program in about 100 cities, Mr. Hollingsworth said. Participants will sign a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve -- expected to extend to 10,000 employers in all 48 contiguous states.

ESGR officials will also conduct symposiums to help employers ensure that their companies are in compliance with laws providing job protections for guardsmen and reservists. The seminars also will provide suggestions for managing employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve, Mr. Hollingsworth said.

One feature of the program will be a five-race NASCAR Busch Series salute to Guard and Reserve employers. Officials from ESGR and Richard Childress Racing are putting together a "dream team" of NASCAR's biggest stars for the series.

The ESGR No. 29 car will be painted in a rotating paint scheme at each race to represent all reserve components.

A NASCAR show car, known as "America's car," also will be displayed at Chamber of Commerce functions to salute Guard and Reserve employers. The public will get the opportunity to be photographed with the car and to sign several large "Support our Troops" banners.

The goal is to collect 1.2 million signatures, one for every member of the National Guard and Reserve, and to display the banners in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the United States and overseas, officials said. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)