PHILIPSBURG — A Philipsburg business was recently honored by the Department of Defense’s Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) with the Patriot Award for extraordinary support of employees who are also service members.
“Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces,” ESGR remarked in a statement.
Diamondback Truck Covers Facilities and Maintenance Manager Adam Vargas was nominated for the award by Sgt. Richard Clark, a member of the PA Army National Guard’s A Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment stationed in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.
“Adam supported me in numerous ways throughout my deployment. He stayed in touch to make sure I was doing okay and sent me care packages. He also took me out for dinner when I returned from active duty. Adam is a caring and respectful leader, and I appreciate his support of my service in the Guard,” Clark explained.
The award was presented by William Burkhard, the PA North Central Area ESGR Chair.
“I know firsthand how critical it is to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces,” he said.
According to a press release from ESGR, Burkhard also obtained a Statement of Support from Vargas, which solidifies that the company is joining other employers in pledging the following:
- We fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA)
- We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve
- We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans
- We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war
“By signing the Statement of Support, Diamondback Truck Covers is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs,” Burkhard said.
Diamondback Truck Covers joins the list of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and thousands of American employers in supporting the country’s armed forces.
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all North–Central Pennsylvania employers to look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees,” Burkhard said.
“Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”
ESGR is an office of the United States Department of Defense that seeks to foster a culture in which all employers will support and value the employment of military members.
“ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD,” A press release from ESGR said.
For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs or ESGR volunteer opportunities, call 800-336-4590 or visit ESGR.mil.
