Georgia employers take a peek at the military Published Sept. 22, 2009 By Penelope Harbour Georgia Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve hosted an airlift for employers of service members to Eglin Air Force Base and Duke Field, Fla., Sept 11-12. Nine employers, two GA ESGR members and one Public Affairs Director participated in the tour, also known as a "bosslift." The event began at Dobbins Air Reserve Base with an introduction to ESGR Programs by the GA ESGR Chair, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Tom Wessels, and a presentation on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Afterwards, the employers had lunch at the Dobbins Club with Col. Joseph Thomas, 94th Airlift Wing vice commander. They were transported to Eglin AFB via a C-130 where they visited the Air Armament Center, Taconi Room, Climatic Lab and Khobar Towers Memorial. Day two consisted of a visit to the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, where they received a mission brief from the Vice Commander and visited the maintenance engine shop and survival equipment shop. Each employer signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve and was subsequently presented with the Statement of Support certificate for display at their company. Employers that participated in this event were as follows: Talitha Burks, Executive Vice President for The Burks Companies, Inc.; Christopher Carey, President, Logical Systems, Inc.; Benjamin Maner, President, The Guardian Protective Services; C. Wade Monk, General Counsel, Floyd Medical Center; Milton Nix, Jr., Board Member, Georgia Parole Board; Rich Steele, Director, Crawford Communications, Inc.; Brenda Williams, Manager, Roaring Inc. D/B/A Subway; Heath Williams, Attorney, Heath W. Williams, LLC; and Jennifer Williams, Accounting Director, DeKalb Technical College. "Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units," said General Wessels. "I encourage all Georgia employers to visit our national Web site at www.esgr.mil to sign a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve." The Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve hosts several bosslifts each year. A bosslift is an opportunity to transport employers of service members, via military aircraft, to military facilities where they observe National Guard and/or Reserve members on duty. Bosslifts introduce civilian employers to the military and help to increase employer support for the service members they employ. A big "Thank you" to the 94th Airlift Wing in Marietta for supporting this event by providing airlift. Without their support, this bosslifts would not have happened. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America's Patriots. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. For more information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities, please call Penelope Harbour at 678-569-5738, or visit the ESGR Web site at www.esgr.mil.
