Verizon New Jersey, Inc. has been selected by the New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to receive the 2002 Pro Patria Award. The Pro Patria (which translates to ‘for the nation’) is the organization’s highest award and is given to the outstanding employer of National Guardmembers and Reservists within the state. Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, Inc. will accept the award during a special ceremony and cocktail reception on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor in Princeton. (The event is by invitation only) The Governor also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard.

Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr., Chairman, NJESGR and Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey will present the Pro Patria award on behalf of the more than 20,000 citizen-soldiers currently serving in units of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. Verizon was nominated for going far above and beyond the usual support required by federal law in its military leave policies and in its enthusiastic and ongoing support for those employees involved in both Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.

According to General Dutko, “Following the terrorist attacks against America on September 11th, increasing numbers of National Guardsmen and Reservists have been called upon to participate in various Homeland Security and Homeland Defense missions. The increased number and duration of these mobilizations have placed a heavy burden on both the families and civilian employers of Reservists and Guardmembers alike. Our military units all have effectively functioning family support programs that address family issues and concerns. Our (ESGR’s) primary mission is to maintain a good working relationship between New Jersey’s employer community and the dedicated citizen-soldiers serving our great state and nation.

ESGR operates under the aegis of the United States Department of Defense, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, and is comprised of more than 150 volunteer members representing a cross section of New Jersey’s employer / business community, elected officials at the municipal, county, and state level, senior representatives of each of the 7 military reserve organizations, service organizations, professional associations, and concerned citizens from all 21 counties within the state.

Dutko also pointed out the importance of employer support. “The Governor signed an executive order extending benefits and protections to all state employees mobilized for service following September 11th. Fortunately, without being required to do so by any existing legal obligation, Dennis Bone and Verizon New Jersey, Inc. followed his example and have provided extended benefits and protections that go well beyond what is mandatory. Therefore, it’s only appropriate that we as an organization do whatever we can to publicly recognize this outstanding support and salute the important contributions made by Verizon New Jersey, Inc. and other enlightened civilian employers to our national security. America can’t go to war without the Guard and Reserve. And, in time of national emergency, America’s security can not be guaranteed without the full participation of our National Guard and Reserve.”

More than 1,700 Army and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen have been placed on active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Security missions here in the continental U.S.) Additionally, significant numbers of New Jersey’s National Guardmembers and Reservists were mobilized for overseas deployments to participate in and support the ongoing war against terror as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Traditionally, members of the National Guard and Reserve are required to perform military training for a minimum of 39 days per year; 15 days of annual active duty training and the one ‘drill’ weekend per month. That has all changed. Especially with the Guard. Reservists can only be called up in a “federal” emergency.

The Guard can be activated by the President for federal service and by the Governor, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Guard, for “state active duty.” This state service is usually associated with natural disasters, floods, storms, and other domestic emergencies. However, following September 11th, the Governor mobilized members of the National Guard to provide additional security at Hudson River bridges and tunnels, major airports, and key infrastructure within the state.

ESGR is an organization formed more than 25 years ago. The 54 separate state organizations (all 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) with assistance, funding, and support from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, conduct outreach programs which include a Speakers Bureau, “Boss Lifts” (wherein employers have an opportunity to actually visit their employees during their military training activity), and an Ombudsman Program that attempts informal resolution of any conflicts between employees and their civilian employers.

Anyone seeking additional information about the mission, organization, or activity of ESGR may contact Colonel (Ret) Carmen A. Venticinque, Executive Director, NJ ESGR at (609) 530-6910; via e-mail: carmen.venticinque@njdmava.state.nj.us; or by visiting our web site: www.njesgr.org.