ESGR Minnesota - Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Summer 2010
ESGR Minnesota
MINNESOTA
ANNUAL EMPLOYER AWARDS BANQUET—
30 Companies Honored
OAKDALE, Minnesota, June 7th—
Over 400 people gathered in the
Prom Center to participate in
ESGR’s yearly ceremony honoring
the employers of Guard and Reserve members who have been most
supportive of their employees’ military service. The day began with a
meeting of ESGR
members in the
morning and early
afternoon, where
they received briefings from Minnesota Adjutant General Larry Shellito,
ESGR Ombudsman Coordinator
Tara Stewart, and
Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Reserve Affairs Dennis McCarthy.
Starting the evening was a tradition
of the ESGR Employer Awards
events in Minnesota, a pair of bald
eagles, America’s national bird
from the University of Minnesota’s
Raptor Center. One of the eagles
was brought to the stage as the Star
Spangled Banner was played and
sung by members of the 34th Infantry Division Band, which has just
recently returned from a year-long
deployment in Iraq.
In addition to the employer awards,
ESGR-Minnesota recognized several other individuals who, while
not employing military members,
have done remarkable things to promote support of Guard and Reserve
service. They were: Jared Allen’s
Homes for Heroes Foundation, the
Minnesota Timberwolves Fastbreak
Foundation, Mike Morris of KFAN
Radio, Coach J Robinson of the
University of Minnesota, and TV
news anchor Don Shelby. Shelby
was asked to show a new tattoo he
received commemorating his time
spent in Iraq with
the US Army as a
reporter. When he
started rolling up his
shirt sleeve to display it, Mike Morris
helped him by ripping the sleeve off
his shirt (picture
left).
Celebrating these employers were a
wide variety of public and military
leaders, along with former award
winners such Ultra Machining
Company’s Don Tomann and the
Mall of America. The awards
themselves were presented by Minnesota ESGR Chairman A. Paul
Monteen, National ESGR Chairman
Jim Rebholz, Assistant Secretary
McCarthy, and Governor Tim
Pawlenty of Minnesota. In addition
to Major General Shellito, other
leaders present included Brigadier
General Frank Cipolla (assistant
Commander 88th RSC, US Army
Reserve) and Major General Rick
Nash (Commander, 34th ID).
There were 27 employers receiving
the “Above and Beyond” award and
three who received the highest
award a State Office
can bestow—the “Pro
Patria” award (see
page 3 for all award
winners). The recipients represented all
types of employers,
large and small, public
and private. The narratives that accompanied each award were
varied; some employers provided
pre-cooked meals for spouses and
helped with lawns and yard work;
others provided differential pay and
care packages; still others created
entire Military Support Networks
within their corporations to assist
their military employees and the
Guard and Reserve in general.
Assistant Secretary McCarthy took
the stage early in the program to
present Governor Pawlenty with the
Secretary of Defense
Award for Exceptional Public Service
(picture
left).
Pawlenty has been a
long-time supporter
of the National Guard
and Reserve in Minnesota, along with his
wife, First Lady
Mary Pawlenty. First
Lady Pawlenty has started a support
program for military families, and
the governor has backed numerous
programs of financial and legal support for veterans. He has also been
a champion of ESGR, declaring an
“ESGR Week” in Minnesota during
September of 2008.
Summer 2010
How Employers Can Help
Citizen Warriors
ESGR Minnesota
Page 2
Message from the State Chair
A. Paul Monteen
Dennis M. McCarthy
In 1999, the United States Senate designated the month of May as National
Military Appreciation Month. The purpose of this observance is to recognize
the important role that our military has
played throughout the nation's history.
With Military Spouse Appreciation
Day on the 7th; Armed Forces Day on
the 15th; and, of course, Memorial
Day ceremonies at the end of May,
there are many opportunities for us to
remember and thank our service members, past and present, and their families. However, one of the most important ways we can say thank you is to
ensure that our communities' men and
women of the National Guard and Reserve have civilian jobs with which
they may support their families.
Our citizen warriors are a vital element
of our national defense. Currently,
Guard and Reserve members make up
nearly 50 percent of the total U.S.
Armed Forces. More than 765,000 Reserve component service members
have been called to active duty since
Sept. 11, 2001; 132,000 of those are
serving on active duty right now.
Just as we rely heavily on these individuals, they rely on our support and
the support of our nation's employers.
The businesses that employ our citizen
warriors provide support in a variety of
ways. Some provide differential pay
between military and civilian salaries,
offer continued benefits coverage during deployments, send frequent care
packages and messages of support, or
even help the family cover household
maintenance duties.
(McCarthy—continued on page 6)
What a quarter—Boss Lifts, briefings
and Statement of Support signings, not
to mention THE BEST Annual Presentation of Awards Ceremony of any
Committee. (OK maybe I’m prejudiced, but until some can prove me
wrong I’m declaring it!) Our new
venue at the Prom Center worked well;
we will try to use it again for next year.
Circle Monday April 4, 2011 on your
calendar. That’s right; you’re getting
the date for our Annual Meeting and
Kent Wilkening (L) and
Banquet 9 months in advance. I hope
Paul Monteen (R) proving that “We All Serve”
this means more of you will be able to
at an ESGR members’
fully participate in this great annual
training event.
event. Likewise it gives us time to prepare an even better event next year.
I wish I had space to thank everyone who volunteers or works to
make our Annual Presentation of Awards Ceremony a success;
however, I am limited to 500 words or less. Therefore, I will
only recognize one: Adam Bufis. Few know him; few even see
him (by virtue of his professional invisibility.) He’s usually the
first to arrive and among the last to leave. He’s the commensurate
professional who has worked in many well known venues
throughout the USA for a number of recognized stars in the field
of gospel and country music. But once a year he sets aside a
Monday night for Minnesota ESGR. You probably don’t even
notice what a great job he does; that’s because he does it so well.
He’s our “sound guy.” Yep. He brings the speakers, lays the
wires, sets up the board and runs voice level checks before the
event with each of the performers and speakers. He sits in the
back and makes sure that the flip of a microphone switch doesn’t
sound like a practice volley from the 151st. Adam brings in the
equipment, acts the part of the roadie, and provides his professional experience, for what? Our simple thanks! Therefore it is
only fitting that I set aside a portion of this column to express my
personal thanks to Adam Bufis for the great job he has done for
Minnesota ESGR these past two years.
SAVE THE DATE!
NEXT YEAR’S ESGR MINNESOTA
ANNUAL EMPLOYER AWARDS BANQUET
WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 4TH, 2011
Summer 2010
ESGR Minnesota
Minnesota’s Most Supportive EmployersThe Companies That Go “Above And Beyond”
Page 3
Pro Patria Award Recipients onstage at the ESGR Annual Employer Awards Banquet June 7th, 2010:
Target Corporation (left), McGough Construction (center), Minneapolis Police Department (right)
Pro Patria Awards
The “Pro Patria” Award is the
highest honor that ESGR can bestow at the state level. These outstanding employers make extra efforts to support their military employees’ service and make them
feel valued for it. Minnesota has
three categories for the “Pro Patria”
- Large Employer (over 500 employees), Small Employer (under
500 employees), and Public or
Government Agency. This year’s
three Pro Patria recipients (pictured
above) have done truly remarkable
things on behalf of their military
employees: Target Corporation,
McGough Construction, and the
Minneapolis Police Department.
Above and Beyond Awards
There are many companies and organizations that make outstanding
efforts on behalf of their military
employees. Any Guard or Reserve
member may nominate their employer for a “Patriot” Award, and an
ESGR member will present a certificate to the employer letting them
know they are appreciated. Minnesota generates approximately 350
Patriot Award nominations each
year. From these, an ESGR board
Altron, Incorporated
American Financial Marketing
Cargill
City of St Paul Street Maintenance
Cub Foods
Customs & Border Protection—Mission Critical
Eagle Ridge Junior High School
Edina Police Department
Frito-Lay
General Mills Federal Credit Union
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
Heritage Bank NA
Hormel Foods
chooses the 25-30 best to honor at
the Annual Awards and hold up as
examples to others. It is our honor
at Minnesota ESGR to announce the
following companies as having gone
“Above and Beyond” -
M Space
Mayo Clinic-Immunology Lab
Medtronic
MINNCOR Industries
Minneapolis Public Schools
MN Correctional Facility—Rush City
Securian Financial Corporation
TCF Financial Corporation
Thomson Reuters
US Bank
Verizon Wireless
Wells Fargo & Company
Ziegler Caterpillar, Incorporated
Twin Cities Metro Certified Development Company
Summer 2010
ESGR Minnesota
Page 4
PATRIOT AWARDS AROUND THE STATE
presented to Krucker by ESGR representative Chris
Christopherson (pictured left), vice president at First
State Bank of Wabasha. Lockwood was on hand that
day to present the pin to Krucker and assist Christopherson in the presentation.
Lockwood’s nomination for Krucker stated, “I have
known and worked for Mr. Krucker for over 25 years.
He not only gave me a job back in 1985, but was my
biggest supporter for going and starting my own company. He and I still work on many job sites together. He
has never been too busy to assist me with a job.”
When I am away doing the military thing, Sonny has
taken care of all my carpet accounts for me at no charge.
Sonny is the big brother I never had and I am thankful
every day for him.”
Sonny’s Carpet and Linoleum—
Wabasha
Wabasha businessman Sonny Krucker (pictured center)
was presented with a special award last week from the
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
organization for his efforts on behalf of one of his employees who is a member of the Air Force Reserves.
Krucker, who owns and operates Sonny’s Carpet & Linoleum in Wabasha, was presented the Patriot Award
for his support of employee Master Sergeant James G.
Lockwood of St. Paul (pictured right). The award was
Christopherson said, in praising Krucker for his support
of his employee, “Not only did he show respect for Jim
as an employee, he showed respect for him as a soldier.
But he took it one step further by helping him start his
own business. Now think about that and what a bold,
supportive gesture that is. Sonny went above and beyond in his support of Jim and the Guard and Reserve
program and for that, we are delighted to present this
award to him.”
Also present that day were Jims parents, Jerry and Mary
Ann Lockwood of Wabasha. Lockwood serves in the
Air Force Reserves through the 934th Civil Engineers
group at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Windom Area Hospital, Windom (R)
Josh Sammons (center), head of Windom Area Hospital’s
Physical Therapy Rehab Department, was recently recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
with the Patriotic Employer award. The honor goes to employers who support employee participation in America’s
National Guard and Reserve force. Laridee Herding (left)
of Storden is a full-time physical therapist in Sammons’
department and also serves with the Air National Guard
two weeks each year and one weekend a month. Sammons
allows Herding time away from work to serve with the
Guard. Presenting the award to Sammons is Kent Wilkening (right) of Fulda, a volunteer with the ESGR. News of
the May 28th presentation appeared in the Windom News.
Summer 2010
ESGR Minnesota
Page 5
Kelly and Lemmons, St. Paul
2nd Lieutenant Joe Kelly of the Army National Guard recently nominated his employer, Kelly and Lemmons, Attorneys-at-Law. The award was presented at their offices on
May 5th by ESGR State Executive Director Jim Sullivan.
2LT Kelly states that his employer goes above and beyond
in adjusting his work load when he called to involuntary
duty as well as when he volunteers to engage in extra Army
training. Employer Chad Lemmons, according to Kelly, is
“proud to be a supporter of the Minnesota National Guard
and often asks if there is anything that he or the firm can do
“ to make his military service easier. Pictured (l-r) 2LT
Joe Kelly, employer Patrick Kelly, ESGR Executive Director Jim Sullivan, employer Chad Lemmons.
PACE Dairy—Rochester
Pace Dairy Foods in Rochester packages cheese to be sold at grocery
stores, but now they're being recognized for helping out one of their
own employees who also happens to
be a soldier.
"It's a big relief off me," says Adam
Welke who's a Specialist in the National Guard. Welke was deployed to
Kuwait last year, but knowing that he
would still have a job when he got
back made things a little bit easier.
"I think they sacrificed a lot and people came in to work over time and
cover my shifts," he says. The company employs more than 300 people, but just one of
them, Welke, got the call to serve on April 16, 2009. "It
made it a lot easier coming back knowing I had a job to
come back to," he says about the situation.
Welke never thought that through all his weeks of training and a year long deployment in Kuwait he'd have a
job to come back, but Welke thought wrong.
"It's very important and a great sacrifice on the companies part to help in our countries service," says Kenn
Roehl. Roehl is a volunteer for ESGR. They presented
a Patriot Award to Pace Dairy June 3rd for all they've
done for Welke.
"I know he's very grateful for it," says Roehl.
"There are a lot of people that I went over with that don't
have jobs and are coming back and that's one thing they
worry about especially the last couple of months coming
back," Welke adds.
The June 3rd ceremony was attended by numerous employees of PACE Dairy, showing the support that the
entire company has for military service. Accepting the
award were General Manager Jim Leyland (far left) and
Shift Manager Tim Hunsucker (second from left). Presenting were ESGR member Kenn Roehl (third from
left) and Specialist Adam Welke (far right). News of the
ceremony was covered on two Rochester-area television
stations.
ESGR Minnesota
Summer 2010
(McCarthy—Continued from page 2)
Actions like these offer comfort and peace of mind to National Guard and Reserve members, which allows them to
perform difficult duties.
Often, employers have many questions when their Guard
and Reserve employees are called to active duty. In response, a Department of Defense agency, the National
Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, has built a team of more than 4,600 trained volunteers throughout all 54 states and territories.
They work closely with employers and their Guard and
Reserve employees to answer questions and foster positive communication. Volunteering with ESGR is an important way members of the community can help.
Page 6
business and civic leaders recognize and value the freedoms the National Guard and Reserve help to provide.
They also value their citizen warriors as employees.
They know that the men and women of the National
Guard and Reserve bring a strong work ethic, leadership
ability and other important skills to the workplace. It is no
surprise that many of America's employers place a high
priority on hiring citizen warriors.
I ask that all employers, from large corporations to small
businesses, consider doing the same. This is how we
should say thanks, and how together, we all serve.
Dennis M. McCarthy is the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Reserve Affairs. He previously served as the commander, Marine Forces Reserve, 2001 to 2005. He was
the Guest Speaker at the ESGR Minnesota 2010 Annual
Employer Awards Banquet.
Employers give their support for very basic reasons. First,
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
Minnesota ESGR would like to thank the following organizations
who have signed a Statement of Support in May and June—
Faith United Church, Ada
Beltrami United Methodist Church, Beltrami
Utah Career College, Woodbury
Mid-American Financial Group, Minnetonka
Kelly & Lemmons Attorneys, St. Paul
Globe University, Minneapolis
Minnesota School of Business, 12 locations
ATA Black Belt Academy, Burnsville
Cintas Corporation, Maple Grove/Eagan
Stillwater Motor Company, Stillwater
Northern Lakes Embroidery, Cross Lake
Liquor Time, Oak Park Heights
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
United Way, Hastings
Nicolai Avenue Marketing, Hastings
Thrivent Financial, Minneapolis
Hastings Public School District
Hastings Automotive Group, Hastings
Frito-Lay Inc., Coon Rapids
AMC Showplace Theatre, Inver Grove Heights
Blue Sky Animal Hospital, Wyoming
Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo
Rogers Police Department, Rogers
Qwest Communications, Minneapolis
Wipfli LLP, St. Paul
Monticello Vacuum Cleaner, Monticello
Platinum Look Salon, Monticello
Farmers Insurance Group, Monticello
Foster Carlson and White Agency, Monticello
Awards USA, Forest Lake
Snell Motors, Mankato
Broadway Kwikstop, Monticello
Brand New Nails and Alterations, Monticello
Monticello Liquor, Monticello
TNT Insurance, Monticello
Travel Leaders, Monticello
DW Carlson Agency, Monticello
Monticello Chamber of Commerce
Bob’s Barber Shop, Monticello
Liberty Tax Service, Monticello
Wright Sherburne Realty, Monticello
Flo St. Francis Hair Stylists, St. Francis
Minnesota Twins Baseball
Edward Jones, Monticello
City of Monticello
City of Nowthen
Red’s Service, Monticello
Minnesota Department of Revenue
GMAC, Eden Prairie
Pace Dairy Foods, Rochester
Canadian Honker, Rochester
Karl’s Carquest Auto Parts, Albert Lea
Heritage Bank NA, Willmar
Snell Motors, Mankato
Summer 2010
ESGR Minnesota
Patriot Awards Available To Spouses
These days, it is very common for a military household to be two-income, with both husband and wife
holding a full-time job, regardless of which one is in
the military. So when a service member deploys for
an extended period of time, it can create difficulties
for two employers (or more), not just one. In some
senses, it is in fact easier for the service member, because he or she is covered by USERRA. So far, with a
few exceptions, the spouse left behind does not have
comparable protection, and has to “pick up the slack.”
This makes it all the more remarkable when the employer of a spouse gives exceptional support to military service. Family and employment are two of the
main pillars of stability in a service member’s life,
which in turn is critical for mission readiness and effectiveness. Thus, employers of spouses are delivering a “two-for-one” to the Department of Defense.
Until lately, there was no official way for DoD to say
“thank you” to these great patriots. But in accordance
with the 2011-2015 ESGR Strategic Plan, the ESGR
“Patriot” Award will be available for spouses of service members as well as the service members themselves. Nomination forms can be completed on the
ESGR website, www.esgr.mil, under the link “Service
members, award your employer.” Every employer
nominated will receive a Patriot Award certificate and
accompanying lapel pin. Your state or local ESGR
Committee can help you arrange the presentation of
the award to your employer.
Tell us why your employer is great. When completing
the employer recognition form, take a few moments to
explain why your employer deserves to be recognized.
It may lead to bigger things. ESGR reviews all award
nominations for consideration for higher levels of recognition at the Local, State and National levels.
If your local ESGR Committee has agreed to personally present all Patriot Awards in the state, the award
for your employer will be sent to the committee
awards coordinator, who will contact your employer to
arrange the presentation. If your local committee is
unable to personally make the presentation, the award
will be sent directly to you.
Let them know they are appreciated!
Page 7
Minnesota Ombudsman Lori Ahlness
Receives Hill Legacy Award
The new motto of ESGR is “We All Serve…” The
volunteers of ESGR’s Field Offices exemplify that
every day, and, in some cases, are recognized by others for the work they do with ESGR and other volunteer organizations. One of those volunteers is Lori
Ahlness, an Ombudsman for Minnesota and recipient
of the 2010 Hill Legacy Award.
The award, named for J. Stanley and Doris Hill, highlights someone each year who exemplifies the volunteer work the Hills promoted during their lifetime.
The foundations of Century College, Mahtomedi and
White Bear Lake school districts work together to select the individual.
Lori has served children, the military, the Peace
Corps, the elderly and more. As a retired officer in the
Marine Corps Reserves and Army National Guard,
many of Lori’s volunteer activities deal with veterans.
In addition to working as an Ombudsman for Minnesota ESGR, she also helps returning military members
with resume writing.
A member of the Yellow Ribbon Network, Lori also
helps cities, counties and companies plan programs
supporting military members and their families. She
is a chaplain at the American Legion Post 39 in North
St. Paul. She has served on the Board of Directors for
the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp, and was also a
counselor at the National Guard Youth Camp. She has
collected and distributed toys for the Marine Corps
Reserve’s venerable “Toys for Tots” program.
Other community service has included helping the St.
Paul Police Department as a Spanish interpreter,
teaching archery after school at Sunrise Park Middle
School, and serving in the Peace Corps from 1981 to
1983.
Lori was presented with the award on May 18th at
Century College, a ceremony which was attended by
several of Lori’s colleagues in Minnesota ESGR. We
are proud to have Lori on our team along with all of
the other active volunteers who take the time to help
because “We All Serve…”
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Minnesota Committee
8180 Belden Boulevard
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
UPCOMING EVENTS
17-25 July—Navy Week in Minnesota
23 July—Employer Day—2-147th Aviation
Brigade—Holman Field, St. Paul
6-8 Aug—Ombudsman Training—Minneapolis
7 Aug—934th Airlift Wing Employer Day—Air
Force Reserve-Twin Cities
12-15 Aug—ESGR Emerging Leaders Training—
Washington, D.C.
6 Sep—Labor Day
18-19 Sep—60-day Reintegration—204th Medical
Company—Twin Cities
23 Sep—Freedom Awards—Washington, D.C.
CONTACT ESGR MINNESOTA
STATE CHAIR—PAUL MONTEEN
[email protected]
651-201-7779
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR—JIM SULLIVAN
[email protected]
651-268-8203
PROGRAM SUPPORT—RAE SCHWARTZ
[email protected]
651-268-8206
PROGRAM SUPPORT—CHRIS CAMPBELL
[email protected]
651-282-4285
ON THE WEB
www.esgr.mil