Fop Supports National Guard And Reserve

[allan]

http://www.esgr.org/news/News-10-22-08.html

(WASHINGTON) The Honorable Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, announced that Mr. Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve today.

The Fraternal Order of Police joins with thousands of America’s employers in pledging:

• To fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
  
• To assure their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
  
• To continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
  

“This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it” said Secretary Hall. “Law enforcement officers are one of the largest employer segments of National Guardsmen and Reservists in the country. I am asking all of America’s law enforcement departments and agencies to re-affirm that their current human resources policies are a leading example of compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).”

“In addition to signing on behalf of the FOP National Lodge, Mr. Canterbury has challenged all 2,100 FOP Lodge Presidents to join with him and the FOP State Chapter Presidents in signing Statements of Support to publicly honor their FOP members who serve their communities and our nation in the National Guard and Reserve,” added Hall.

“The men and women of law enforcement are always quick to answer the call of duty,” said Canterbury. “Whether that call comes from a dispatcher who sends an officer to a crime in progress or to an accident site, or whether that call comes from the United States Government and asks that officer to put on a military uniform for our country and patrol a foreign beat. These patriots answer every call”.

“Our members who serve as Reservists or in the National Guard expect to be able to return to duty in their communities when they return home”, added Canterbury. “It is important that the protections afforded to all those who serve are in place and are enforced”.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the oldest and largest law enforcement organization in the United States, representing more than 327,000 members in 2,100 local lodges in every region of the country.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 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 1.3 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 citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by contacting Tom Bullock, Chief, Employer Outreach, of the National ESGR Committee, at 703-696-1386, or email tom.bullock@osd.mil.

"Keep on, Keepin' on"

Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"

See my web site at:

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/