Governor James E. McGreevey, the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard signed a “Statement of Support” formally declaring his support for the 17,000 citizen-soldiers currently serving in the National Guard and other reserve units stationed throughout the Garden State. The statement signing took place at the Governor’s outer office on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 and included Assemblyman Jack Conners, Chairman, Assembly Military & Veterans Affairs Committee; Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, representing U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; Mr. William Donnelly, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (for New Jersey); Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey; Major General Clark Martin, Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard; Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr., State Chairman, New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee; Colonel Maria Morgan, Deputy Adjutant General, Colonel Emil Philibosian, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs and a drilling Army Reservist; Brigadier General Chris Joniec, Commander, 514th Military Airlift Wing, US Air Force reserve; Colonel Larry Thomas, Commander, 108th Air Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard; Command Sergeant Major Richard Atkins; and Command Master Chief John Mastrogiovanni.

In his comments, Secretary Hall, who has responsibility for all National Guard and Reserve affairs at the Department of Defense hailed Governor Mc Greevey’s unequalled level of support for his citizen-soldiers.

“New Jersey may be the 47th state to sign this statement of support, but Governor McGreevey is first among those who have demonstrated their support for America’s National Guardmembers and Reservists.”

A number of prominent members of New Jersey’s employer community were present to demonstrate their support for their employees currently serving Homeland Security and Homeland Defense missions. They included Bill Dressel, Executive Director, New Jersey State League of Municipalities; Joan Verplanck, President, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce (and a previous recipient of ESGR’s outstanding employer award, the Pro Patria); Phil Kirschner, President, New Jersey Business & Industry Association; Ellen Dotto, Verizon-New Jersey (2002 Pro Patria recipient); Don Tretola (who also serves as Vice-Chairman, NJESGR) representing PSE&G (2001 Pro Patria recipient); Jim Robinson of SPRINT; and Carol Beske, President, Act Engineering (also a Vice Chair of NJESGR.)

Representatives of both the National Guard Association of New Jersey (NGANJ), The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey (EANGNJ), and a number of personnel from National Guard and reserve units from around the state also participated in the ceremony.

The “Statement of Support” follows the example and tone set by the Governor’s signing of two separate Executive Orders (numbers 50 & 54) which provide additional benefits and protections to state employees mobilized for extended active duty military service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (the global war against terrorism and the war in Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (the war in Iraq), and those involved in performing Homeland Security missions throughout the state as part of Operation Noble Eagle.

The statement pledges the support and cooperation of the employer regarding military service, leaves of absence for military training and further provides that no seniority, promotion, or employment opportunities will be denied as a result of the employee’s military service.

More than 2,500 of the estimated 17,000 citizen-soldiers serving in the New Jersey Army & Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve have been mobilized in support of various Homeland Defense and Homeland Security missions.