LTHS recognized for patriotic support of military

The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, recognized Lyons Township High School (LTHS) Superintendent Timothy Kilrea, with the ESGR “Patriotic Employer Award” in recognition of his extraordinary support of a faculty member who is member of the National Guard. Michael Holub of the Illinois Committee of ESGR presented the award to Dr. Kilrea during a District 204 Board meeting with thanks for the continued support of the men and women in uniform, who play a critical role in our security at home and around the world. The nominator for this award was LTHS faculty member Joe Barker, a Colonel with the Illinois Army National Guard and recently deployed as part of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The Patriotic Employer Award is presented after ESGR receives a nomination from a Guardsmen or Reservist in Illinois. Col. Barker wanted to recognize his employer for their continuing supporting of his military commitments during missions and also upon his return from deployments. In his nomination narrative to ESGR Barker wrote, “Lyons Township High School fully supports the military, especially the reserve component. The leadership team and faculty make significant sacrifices during all phases of the deployment cycle and they do so with compassion and consideration to both myself and my family.”

As an example of the support he has received, Barker wrote, “LTHS hired me knowing I was about to deploy and continued unparalleled support during four subsequent deployments while employed. During each of my five deployments they maintained contact with me and my family to check if any assistance was needed. They insured my family was kept apprised of my benefits and status at work and insured I was prepared to re-enter the classroom.”

Barker added, “The flexibility and understanding of LTHS is amazing. They recognize the overall contribution of the military through Veteran’s Day assemblies and ‘Salute to Service’ activities. The bottom line is that they set the example for other employers to follow.”

According to Colonel (ret) Ron Bacci, State Chair of Illinois ESGR, “The Patriotic Employer Award publicly recognizes employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who, like the Minutemen before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units and District 204continues to provide that support.”

Bacci added, “Lyons Township High School now joins thousands of employers who have demonstrated their support of service in the National Guard and Reserve through full compliance with the statutory requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act law.”

Dr. Kilrea accepted the Award on behalf of all of the employees of Lyons Township High School. After the presentation, Dr. Kilrea accepted and signed a Statement of Support for Lyons Township High School. Michael Holub, who is the Public Affairs Director for Illinois ESGR, noted that this is the second time a Supervisor from LTHS has been nominated for a Patriotic Employer Award, the previous time being in 2008. Holub stated, “I would like to thank the Superintendent and the School Board of District 204 for recognizing the important role of the National Guard and Reserve by signing this Statement of Support. When an employer recognizes and appreciates the value of service in the Guard and Reserve it is a welcome show of support to our men and women in uniform.”

• They fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act or USERRA.
• Their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• They appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.
• They will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is an office of the Department of Defense and is the lead advocate within the Department of Defense for Reserve Component employers. Its mission is to gain and maintain the support of employers for service in the Reserve Components by increasing awareness of the law, recognizing outstanding support and helping to resolve conflicts through informal mediation. Thousands of ESGR volunteers nationwide provide free education, consultation and, if needed, neutral mediation for employers of Guardsmen and Reservists. More information about ESGR employer outreach programs and services is available at http://www.esgr.mil.

Image via shutterstock.