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City of Duluth among several recognized for support of employees in the Guard and Reserves

[Duluth, MN] - The Minnesota Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) held their annual recognition banquet on Monday evening at the Prom Center in Oakdale, Minnesota.   The City of Duluth was among three northeast Minnesota employers of 148^th Fighter Wing members that were recognized at the event with “Above and Beyond Awards”. The other two honored employers are Tender Loving Care Inc. of Duluth and Carlson Wagonlit Travel of Ely.

The “Above and Beyond Award” is given to a limited number of employers annually. It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees. Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Craig McKinley was the key note speaker at the event. In attendance were Governor Dayton and several state legislators.   

Mayor Don Ness accepted the “Above and Beyond Award” on behalf of the City of Duluth. The City employs 16 148^th Fighter Wing members in the Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works and Duluth International Airport. The award nomination submitted by employees stated “Upon returning from deployments, National Guard members are welcomed home by their supervision and peers. Guard members are always returned to the position they held prior to deploying.” City of Duluth employees supported at least 12 overseas deployments with the 148^th to locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the City. I am very proud of our employees and their dedication to serving the public, whether it is on the streets of Duluth or in Baghdad; they serve our country with dignity and humility. We are committed to supporting our military employees and community members before, during, and after deployment,” said Mayor Ness. 

The City of Duluth provides support to their employees who perform National Guard duty with the 148^th Fighter Wing. The City ensures all National Guard members have the flexibility and support to accomplish required training and during deployment. All National Guard members are treated with dignity and respect in regards to their military service and upon return from deployments, National Guard members are welcomed home by their supervisors and peers. Guard members are always returned to the position they held prior to deploying.

The City of Duluth has taken its military commitment one step further by earning the designation of a “Yellow Ribbon Community” in September 2010. About 40 community members convened by Mayor Ness developed Duluth’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BYTR) action plan which identified the need for volunteer services, developing a military resource guide and creating a relocation package for military families moving into the Duluth-area. Under Duluth’s leadership, local businesses, services and providers joined forces to support all military members living in this community.

ESGR is a Department of Defense Organization whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve by recognizing employer support, increasing the awareness of law and resolving conflicts through mediation. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) was established to protect both military members and their employers.  More information can be found at www.esgr.org