DUBOIS, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Crown Resorts supervisor recently received a Patriot Award and Crown Resorts received a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present supervisors and organizations with awards for their strong and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Crown Resorts Management Office’s Bryan Chittester was presented a Patriot Award by Pennsylvania ESGR Vice Chair Susan Robertson. The award is in recognition of Chittester’s outstanding support of Spc. Mark Mooney, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Huntington Pennsylvania.

In nominating Chittester, Spc. Mooney stated: “Bryan and Crown Resorts deserves the awards because they have been amazingly supportive of my military service, my drill schedules, and when I must leave for an extended period. Crown Resorts always welcomes me back when I return, with no questions asked. I am very grateful for my employer and the understanding I receive from them."

Robertson also presented a Seven Seals Award to Chittester. According to Robertson, Pennsylvania ESGR’s Vice Chair, “The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.”

Robertson obtained a Statement of Support from Chittester who stated: “We are very honored to be recognized with this award and support those who serve in the Reserve Forces.” The Statement of Support confirms that the Penn Highland Dubois joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

Crown Resorts joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Robertson added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Crown Royal is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Robertson. “I am asking all Northwest Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Robertson also noted that many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements under the USERRA law and offer pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, an extension of health care benefits to complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.

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, a 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 (L-R): Patriot Award recipient Chittester, Spc. Mooney, and ESGR’s Vice Chair Robertson