SPRINGFIELD, MA. November 11, 2009. While most Americans enjoyed the Veteran's Day holiday with a day off from work, US Postal Service employees stationed at the Springfield Bulk Mail Center (BMC) were on duty as usual. The facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One such employee was the maintenance supervisor, Mario Basilie, who was awarded the Patriot Award in front of the other postal workers at the site. The employee who nominated Mr. Basilie for this award, John Vitullo, attended this ceremony in his military uniform. He is a Technical Sergeant (TSgt) in the Air Force Reserve.   

In his nomination TSgt Vitullo said: "Great person to deal with. Helps any employee any way he can. Very understanding. Best supervisor I ever had!" Upon receiving the award Mr. Basilie, himself a military veteran, said he greatly appreciates the sacrifices made by members of the reserve forces and does all he can to minimize concerns about their civilian jobs while performing their military duties.   

Mr. Basilie used this setting to present TSgt Vitullo with a plaque from the Post Office thanking him for his service in the Reserves.   

Bulk Mail Centers are highly mechanized mail processing plants that are part of the National Bulk Mail System. These facilities distribute all mail in bulk form. Each BMC serves as the trafficking hub for all ground shipments either originating or destinating at one of the hundreds of Post Office locations within its service area, and each facility is linked via ground transportation to its key service area facilities as well as the other BMC plants. In addition to mail from Massachusetts the Springfield Bulk Mail Center also handles Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of New York State.   

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 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 USERRA law of 1994 and resolving conflicts through mediation. The MA Committee has more than 40 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier". On hand representing MAESGR were Western MA Chair and Ombudsman Director Earl Bonett and Staff Member Bill Hebert. 

   

From Left to Right: Earl Bonett, TSgt John Vitullo, and Mario Basilie standing behind the facility's memorial to military members who gave their lives in service to our country.

        
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 From Left to Right: Earl Bonett, TSgt John Vitullo, and Mario Basilie displaying the Patriot Award presented at the ceremony.

If you would like nominate your Boss for an award, call the MA Committee for ESGR at 508-233-7249 or go to www.esgr.mil..