Showing support for those who serve

ESGR encourages businesses to work with active, reserve military

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

There are many ways to support our troops and our veterans, but one oft overlooked aspect of military service are the men and women who serve in the National Guard and the Reserves.

In a special presentation at West Memphis City Hall this past week, West Memphian and former city councilman James Pulliaum, along with Dr. Gilbert Fowler of Jonesboro, both representing the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), were looking to change all that.

The ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

“A lot of employers don’t understand the importance of the Guard and Reserves and what it is about. We work to advocate for our military and inform and mediate, both between the military and employers, and to promote military culture.” says Pulliaum, a veteran of both the Marine Core and Army “What we do is just try to make sure they are on board with us and to protect their rights as service members when they are deployed. We go out, talk to

See SUPPORT, page A3

Several city employees proudly display their certificates of support for active and reserve military.

Photos by James Pulliaum SUPPORT

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employers, let them know how we can help them and make life easier for everyone involved.”

One way to make life easier says Pulliaum is to sign and display a personalized certi_cate, which is provided free of charge, in work places as a commitment to support service members, and as a way to let them know they are in a place that is “friendly” to them.

“When I was growing up many of my family had military service and they understood what military service meant” says Dr. Gilbert Fowler, 71, a 28 year veteran of the Reserves and who also holds a PhD in Journalism, “As we have gotten away from that we have less people who can identify with the military and it’s important that those of use who understand the military keep that prominent with those who have no experience. The purpose of the ESGR is to keep military servicemen in the mind of employers and the general population and how they are getting a bene_t above and beyond by hiring someone in the military.”

Dr. Fowler went on to say how military personnel use their training in daily life and that it helps them grow and mature. He feels that as a result employers should take advantage of that and have a favorable attitude towards those that join the military saying he understands “It is a challenge for them, but it is necessary if we are going to remain a free country.”

If your business, like The Evening Times, wants to show support of our military servicemen and servicewomen, you too can be an ESGR partner. Visit their website, esgr.mil, to _nd out more.