ANNVILLE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced the State and National Spirit of Volunteerism Award recipient during its annual All–Ranks conference held recently at Fort Indiantown Gap.
ESGR State Chair Marty Kuhar hosted the conference that was attended by 24 volunteer representatives from the state’s eight designated areas. He took this opportunity to recognizes the state’s outstanding volunteers and presented them with longevity pins and awards.
North Central Area Chair and Public Affairs Director William Burkhard received the Pennsylvania and Department of Defense ESGR James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism Award. Burkhard resides in State College and joined ESGR in 2009 as a volunteer in the state’s North Central Area which encompasses 12 Counties boarded by Potter and Tioga in the North, Montour in the East, Mifflin in the South, and Cameron in the West.
The Spirit of Volunteerism Award is given to a committee volunteer for sustained quality service as a volunteer over a substantial period of years. The award highlights patriotism, good citizenship, and public responsibility, often achieved by heroic efforts and great personal sacrifice sustained exceptional and superior performance of volunteer duties across a broad spectrum of committee activities for a minimum period of five years.
Upon presenting the award, Kuhar noted that Burkhard received a Commission in the Army Reserves in 1971 and served until 1997 when he retired as the Director of Personnel and Community Activities from the 1079th U.S. Army Reserve Garrison stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap. While serving in the Reserves, Burkhard’s civilian career included seven years with a Defense contractor and 29 years with the Pennsylvania State University’s College of Engineering.
About Burkhard’s service with the Pennsylvania ESGR, Kuhar said: “Bill is not only an outstanding ESGR Volunteer for Pennsylvania; he is recognized throughout the country for his contributions in the Public Affairs arena. He fully exemplifies the tenets of both the State and James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism award. He is most deserving of these high honors; and it is a true honor to serve with him. He is the model that we should all try to emulate.”
Burkhard thanked Kuhar and ESGR committee members for being recognized with the Spirit of Volunteerism Award. He noted that the recognition would not have been possible without everyone’s support. Burkhard said: “I am humbled by this recognition and believe that there many other Committee members are just as deserving of the award.
ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA Photo 1(L-R): State ESGR Spirit of Volunteerism Award recipient Burkhard and ESGR State Chair Kuhar. Photo 2(L-R): National ESGR Roche Spirit of Volunteerism Award recipient Burkhard, ESGR State Chair Kuhar.