Bucs show support for Guard, Reserve

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Randy Redman
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined a cadre of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of America's employers Nov. 11 to show support for U.S. servicemembers.

John Lynch, Buccaneers' safety, along with several local businessmen signed the Statements of Support for the National Guard and Reserve at the mission-planning center here.

"A statement of support serves two very vital functions," said Bob Hollingsworth, executive director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. "First, it demonstrates the strong level of support for our Guard and Reserve, which is important during this critical time. Secondly, it sends a clear message to the servicemembers that while they're serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs."

"I think it's a great cause," Lynch said. "I think it's the responsibility of the corporations here in our community to support and get behind efforts like this to ensure the job security of the people that are volunteering their time to protect our freedom."

He said he was proud to be part of an organization that was stepping forward to show its support.

The Buccaneers were not the only organization there to support the military. Representatives from Raymond James Financial, Bob Wilson Dodge, Checkers, Republic Bank and TECO Energy were also on hand.

Robert Shuck, vice chairman and director of Raymond James Financial, was adamant in his support of the armed forces.

"Sure there are some sacrifices; you lose an employee for a while, but that is nothing compared with what they are doing for us," Shuck said.

The Statement of Support is a pledge from an organization to support its Guard and Reserve members and follow the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act. The act states that employers cannot deny employment to an individual who is a member of the Guard or Reserve.

It also states that employers cannot limit or reduce employee job or career opportunities because an employee is a member of the Guard or Reserve. Businesses must allow Guard and Reserve members time off for military training, and they must make these policies well known throughout the organization.

"There are 1.2 million men and women in the National Guard and Reserve. This figure represents 46 percent of total military forces," Hollingsworth said.

The committee is a Department of Defense agency whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.

Craig Duehring, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said that although businesses suffer the loss of employees temporarily, it is for a worthy cause.

"We have to remember that what we're doing here is supporting those downrange," Duehring said. "We owe these people a tremendous debt of gratitude." (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)