Cullen and UPS are being honored specifically for their support of employees called up for extended active duty in the Guard or Reserve following the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The “My Boss is a Patriot” Certificate acknowledges the sustained support that goes beyond the requirements of federal law USC Title 38 and USERRA ( Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act).

In nominating his employer for the award, Technical Sergeant Jim Shiner, a member of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard stated, “ United Parcel Service should be recognized as a company that fully supports its Guard employees. During my 6-week deployment to Southwest Asia, they continued my health and life insurance benefits and kept in touch with my family and offered to support our needs. I’m proud to wear my Air Guard uniform and equally proud to wear my "Big Brown" uniform. If there’s any way to recognize UPS as a company, it should be done!”

The ESGR Committee apparently listened to Shiner’s recommendation. Based upon his nomination and the nominations of a number of other UPS employees serving in Guard and Reserve units, UPS was indeed selected to receive the “State Chairman’s Award”, the second highest honor ESGR can award. Mr. Alex Johannsen, Aircraft Maintenance Manager, will accept the “State Chairman’s Award” on behalf of UPS.

Shiner, a resident of Barnegat, NJ has been an Aircraft Maintenance Technician with UPS for the past year and has served for 20 years (part-time) as a Crew Chief / Mechanic servicing the KC 135 Strato-tankers of the Air National Guard’s 170th and 108th Air Refueling Wings.

ESGR represents all seven (7) branches of the Reserve Component: Army National Guard; Army Reserve; Marine Corps Reserve; Navy Reserve; Air National Guard; Air Force Reserve; and Coast Guard Reserve. According to General Dutko, “ Volunteer members of ESGR throughout the country constantly strive to maintain a good working relationship between the patriotic members of the Reserve Component and their Civilian Employers. With the continued downsizing of the active component, reliance on the Reserve and National Guard has increased dramatically since Desert Storm.”

Following the terrorist attacks against the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, more than 1,700 New Jersey Army and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen were placed on extended active duty as part of Operation “Noble Eagle.” Additionally, significant numbers of Guardmembers and Reservists have been mobilized for overseas deployments to participate in and support the ongoing war against terror as part of Operation “Enduring Freedom.”

Dutko added, “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. 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. Reservists can only be called up in a “federal” emergency. But the Guard can be activated both 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, New Jersey mobilized members of the National Guard for “state active duty” to provide additional security at Hudson River bridges and tunnels, major airports, and the state’s nuclear facilities.”

“This increased reliance on Guardsmen and Reservists combined with increased numbers of extended deployments have placed additional burdens on both the families and civilian employers. Family Support Programs at every level of unit organization help to address some of this impact. ESGR’s mission is to help address employer concerns resulting from their employee’s prolonged active duty military service.”

ESGR is an organization formed more than 25 years ago which operates under the aegis of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. The 54 separate state organizations ( 50 state, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) with assistance, funding, and support from the National Committee conduct ongoing 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.

The 28 acre UPS Newark Airport Operating Facility is located at 350 Brewster Road, in Newark and includes a 45,000 square foot processing center which is served by 2-747, 4-767, 2 DC-8, and 1-727 aircraft. The Newark facility is part of the Metro Jersey District which is headquartered at 493 County Ave in Secaucus and services parts of Hudson, Essex, Bergen, and Passaic Counties. UPS employs a total of 5, 045 employees in the Metro Jersey District with 11 flights carrying 123,000 items daily.