UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

ARL’s Brice Toth was nominated for the Patriot Award by Chief Petty Officer John Groenveld, a U.S. Navy Reservist. Groenveld stated, “Brice has been a strong and steadfast supporter of Reservists and Guardsman. He has effectively rebalanced my duties among coworkers while I’ve been on active duty. Brice never complains when short-fused tasking from my active duty gaining command have required me to perform drills during my regular work week. Brice communicates with my coworkers about my reserve responsibilities and celebrates my uniformed service.”

William Burkhard, Pennsylvania North–Central Area ESGR Chair, presented the Patriot Award to Toth. In presenting the award, Burkhard commented: “I know first-hand how critical it is to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces.”

Mr. Toth indicated his appreciation for the recognition and said that he “It is extremely important to support employees who are serving and to show that we value their service and the sacrifices they make.

Penn State ARL’s Deputy Director Robert Rutherford participated in the Patriot Award presentation ceremony and expressed his appreciation for Toth’s support of Groenveld’s service in the Navy Reserves. Rutherford commented: “I am extremely proud of ARL’s support of our many employees that are actively serving in the Guard and Reserves. A culture of support is critical to enabling our Guard and Reservists to continue to serve. People need to fully appreciate the sacrifices service members make in protecting our freedom.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Burkhard. “I am asking all North–Central Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which 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, 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.

Photo (L–R): Deputy Director Rutherford, Patriot Award recipient Toth, Chief Petty Officer Groenveld, and ESGR Area Chair Burkhard

Photo courtesy Applied Research Laboratory.