WESTFIELD, MA. August 21-22, 2010. Over 250,000 visitors traveled to Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, MA to be part of the 2010 Westfield International Air Show. The event was held in conjunction with the 104th Fighter Wing's Open House. Despite major traffic problems on Saturday and heavy rain on Sunday, the vast majority enjoyed this massive event. Headliners were the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U. S. Army Parachute Team the "Golden Knights". There were also many other attractions both in the air and on the ground. MAESGR was among the many exhibitors set up in one of the base's alert hangers. MAESGR members manned the table over the two day period and they handed out USERRA and ESGR materials and spread the word to attendees strolling by. It provided an opportunity to get the ESGR "story" out to many individuals with no prior knowledge of the organization's mission.

  
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 Field Office has more than 40 volunteers dedicated to helping every "Citizen Soldier". On hand representing MAESGR were Earl Bonett, Holly Boyko, Gerry Clark, Bill Hebert, Paul Lapinski and Joe Ryan.     

       

    Left to Right: Paul Lapinski, Holly Boyko and Earl Bonett

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If you would join the MA ESGR Committee and volunteer your time, call the MA Committee for ESGR at 508-233-7249 or go to www.esgr.mil.