At a recent Florence Rotary Club meeting, three area employers received the Secretary of Defense 2016 Patriot Award for their commitment to hiring members of the National Guard and Reserve.
The awards were presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
“Our nation has relied heavily on Guard and Reserve members since entering continuous operations more than 14 years ago,” said Rod Bell, chair of Area 7 of the Kentucky Committee of ESGR.
The award was created to recognize employers who go beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by extending additional, non-mandated benefits to National Guard and Reserve employees. Those benefits may include differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, paid time off, leaves of absence and other benefits.
“Employer support enhances retention rates in the Armed Forces and, in the end, strengthens our national security,” Bell said. “Recognizing supportive employers is vital to ESGR’s mission. ESGR’s state committees actively promote awards as a key element in furthering employer support, while strengthening relationships between service members and employers. These Department of Defense awards recognize and honor the sacrifices made by so many employers year-after-year.”
Those honored included:
- Dylan Jaynes, Homeland Security (TSA); nominated by KY Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Ryan Richter
- Martha Chomyszak, U.S. Bank (Florence); nominated by U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Dan McKibbin
- David Clark, CSX Transportation (Florence); nominated by U.S. Army Reserve 1 Lt. Brian Murphy
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