442nd Fighter Wing hosts employer appreciation day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kent Kagarise
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 442nd Fighter Wing hosted 40 employers of reservists during an Employer Appreciation Day here Aug. 4.

Reservists invited bosses to attend the event where employers toured the base, received a mission brief and participated in an in-flight refueling mission aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker.

"Employer appreciation day is an important event because most employers don't realize what the Air Force is like or what their reservist does out here," said Lt. Col. Dave Fruck, chief of 442nd Public Affairs. "All they know is their employee disappears from time-to-time and this allows them to understand the Air Force life a little better. It also introduces many of them to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for the first time."

ESGR exists as a Department of Defense agency that seeks to promote a culture, which all American employers value the military duty of employees in a manner that recognizes outstanding support.

While getting acquainted with the 442nd FW employers gained knowledge of ESGR and how the program benefits both the employer and the reservist.

"Employer appreciation days allow us to give our reservists' employers valuable information about incentives for them to hire service members and puts them in touch with the Department of Defense, but most importantly it just lets us say thanks," said James Carver, ESGR administrative support technician.

Carver said providing a service to help veterans and their spouses to find meaningful employment is paramount to the ESGR mission. The ESGR provides breakfast and lunch for the employers and gives the organization a chance to deliver the message.

"Our Web site provides a wealth of information for employers, as well as employees, and those seeking employment," Carver said, "The links are an avenue for companies to advertise job openings and a place where guardsmen and reservists can search for quality employment."

Dr. Todd Stastny, Group of Doctors physician, Kansas City, Mo., an employer who attended the event and said the experience made the military seem alive.

"I'll have no problem encouraging younger members of my medical practice to give military service serious consideration," Stastny said. "Reservists are individual people working for one common goal and ideal to defend and preserve our rights and freedoms."

George DeLullo, Black & Veatch director of quality for federal service division, Kansas City, Mo., said his most memorable moment of the day was when he saw Brig. Gen. Overturf, 442nd FW commander, helping push stairs away from the KC-135 Stratotanker.

"It impressed me to see from top to bottom everybody working together to accomplish the mission - a man in his position with that much rank didn't have to do that," DeLullo said. "It's that same attitude I appreciate having in my office from my reservist."