Hanover, MA. 30 December, 2008. Chief Kenneth Blanchard, head of the
Hanover Fire Department received the prestigious Above and Beyond award
from Massachusetts ESGR Committee Program Support Specialist Dave
St. Germain and Awards Director Roger Fortin. Hanover is a small town in Historic Plymouth County Massachusetts but it has
a big heart when it comes to taking care of their Guard and
Reservists. Chief Blanchard was originally nominated by Senior
Airman Andrew Johnson of the U.S. Air Force
Reserve for a Patriotic Employers Award. In his letter, Airman
Johnson cited the enthusiastic support that he was given by Chief
Blanchard and the entire Hanover Fire Department. He stated in
his letter that the total department went far beyond what he
had expected and that he thought the department deserved additional
recognition.
Chief Blanchard was being recognized for
the unique and outstanding ways he and the Town of Hanover
support Their Guard and Reserve employees. Many employers
provide compensation in the form of differential pay when their
Reserve and Guard employees are away on military service. Some
continue insurance benefits for families of deployed employees, and
several provide preference to Reserve Component members during the
hiring process. All of the nominators’ stories feature vivid
descriptions of support from their coworkers, institutional
leadership and human resources staff. When Mr. St. Germain and Mr.
Fortin read the write up, they also were in total
agreement with the above guidelines.
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.
Fire Fighter and Senior Airman Andrew Johnson presenting the Above and Beyond Award to his Chief, Ken Blanchard
