Westfield - December 8, 2008. In a ceremony held in The Westfield City Hall, Mayor Michael Boulanger proudly signed a Statement of Support. Westfield is in Hampden County located in the Western part of Massachusetts. Westfield has a population of approximately 40,500 people of which the city has approximately 1600 employees. There are 3 police officers and two high school teachers who are members of the guard and reserve. One of the teachers was just activated for the State of Emergency from the enormous ice storm along the New Hampshire border this past weekend. 

The highlight of the signing was when Mayor Boulanger informed the gathering about his attendance at the recent National Conference of Mayors in Washington D. C. When Mayor Boulanger addressed the body, he issued a challenge to all of the other Mayors to commit and sign a Statement of Support. Those mayors in turn were to issue a challenge to all the administrators of smaller cities and towns in their respective states to follow the lead and sign also. Mayor Boulanger is a true believer in the work of the volunteers of The MAESGR and extremely proud of The Citizen Soldiers of Westfield. 

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. Over 4,000 ESGR volunteers nationwide provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. To learn more about ESGR visit www.esgr.mil.

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