On Monday morning July 29, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Larry Adams, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, United Parcel Service, Philadelphia International Airport, will be recognized as an outstanding employer, by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR). Due to security considerations, the presentation will take place in a lounge area at the company’s Hog Island Road Sort Facility Complex.

Adams 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 William V. Federico, 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. They have continued my family's health and life insurance from December 4th to present. They continually keep in touch with my family and offer support to all of our needs. I specifically requested that my boss be recognized, but Dolores Huestis in Human Resources also has been tremendously supportive and UPS as a company needs to be commended for the efforts they have put forth since the terrorist attacks of September 11th. I am proud to wear my military uniform and proud to wear my "Big Brown" uniform as well. If there is a way to reward the efforts of UPS as a whole, it should be done!”

Federico has been an Aircraft Maintenance Technician with UPS for the past 2 years and the past 17 years as a part-time Crew Chief / Mechanic servicing the KC 135 Strato-tankers of the Air National Guard’s 108th Air Refueling Wing. He has been on federal active duty (Title 10) since the hours immediately following the attacks against the World Trade center and the Pentagon. He also served 5 years on Active duty with the United States Air Force stationed at Ramstein, Germany and Plattsburg, New York. Sergeant Federico, his wife Karen and their three children Julia (12), Angela (10), and Vincent (8) reside in Florence, New Jersey.

Presenting the “My Boss is a Patriot” certificate will be Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr., Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) New Jersey State Chairman, Colonel Craig Widen, Commander, 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), and Colonel Artemis Werts, Commander Aircraft Generation Squadron, 108th ARW.

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.