CHICOPEE, MA. November 18, 2009. Bright
and early this morning, members of the MA ESGR Committee traveled to
the
College
of
Our Lady
of the Elms. Their purpose was to present the Patriot Award to Jeff
Bedard, Public Safety Supervisor. Mr. Bedard was nominated for this
honor by employee Nicholas DeBarge who is a Sergeant (SGT) in the US
Army Reserve. In his nomination, SGT DeBarge stated that his
supervisor was very supportive of his USAR career. Despite the many
demands placed on him by his military service, Mr. Bedard always
worked with him by adjusting his schedule as needed. Mr. Bedard said
he felt that was the least he could do to help. SGT DeBarge was
honored just a couple of days prior to this event by being named the
West Springfield, MA Veteran of the Year.
The
College
of
Our Lady
of the Elms, founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, is a
Catholic, Liberal Arts, coeducational college. The college affirms
its original, comprehensive goal of combining education for life
with education for a career. Originally founded to educate women
they are still aware of the importance of this tradition. However, the
college has now opened all of its programs and services to both men
and women.
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.
Left to Right: Jeff Bedard, SGT
Nicholas DeBarge and Earl Bonett.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_Left to Right: Earl Bonett, Jeff
Bedard and SGT Nicholas DeBarge standing in front of the College of
Our Lady of the Elms _________________________________________________________________________________
If you would like nominate your Employer for
an award, call the MA Committee for ESGR at 508-233-7249 or go to www.esgr.mil.
