Patriot Wing reservists, ESGR, join to thank employers

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  • 439th AW Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, MAss. -- --  Patriot Wing reservists thanked their employers in formal settings this fall coordinating with officials of the Massachusetts Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

Tech. Sgt. Albert Czupkiewicz, a Holyoke, Mass., firefighter, honored Fire Chief Bill Moran with the Patriot Award in November at the High Street Fire Station. Sergeant Czupkiewicz, assigned to the 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron, nominated Moran in appreciation for the support the Holyoke department provided his military career.

Tech. Sgt. Ryan Leveille, 439th Services Squadron, brought several military people to the Patriot Award presentation to his bosses at the Home Depot Store in Wilbraham, Mass., including Lt. Col. Patrick Dufraine, 439th Services Squadron commander. Matt Canty, Home Depot operations manager and Tom Harrison, department supervisor, each received the Patriot Award from Sergeant Leveille.

"Their presence and words of gratitude to the Home Depot personnel demonstrated the high value placed on the civilian employers of USAFR members, " said Bill Hebert, Massachusetts ESGR program support manager.

"I was activated for six months and even though Home Depot is a part-time job, they were considerate enough to hold my position," said Sergeant Leveille. "Home Depot faces many challenges during the summer being a busy season. I love what I do with this company. I feel like I'm giving back to the community and I truly have great respect for this company and all their staff."

Chief Master Sgt. Earl Duncan, a US Postal Service employee in his civilian job at the Central Massachusetts Mail Processing Center in Shrewsbury, Mass., was on hand as ESGR members presented the Patriot Award to Maintenance Manager Lynne Parker.

Chief Duncan nominated Ms. Parker for this honor for all the support she has provided to him over the many years of his military career. Upon accepting the award, Ms. Parker said she was thankful for the efforts of reserve service members like Chief Duncan. He is the 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant.
 
"Ms. Parker attended last summer's Westover Employer Appreciation Day, which gave her a much greater understanding of the outstanding work they do," Mr. Hebert said.

The National Committee for 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 USERRA law of 1994 and resolving conflicts through mediation.

The Massachusetts Field Office has more than 40 volunteers dedicated to helping every Citizen Airman.

For more information, visit www.esgr.org