SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented the Seven Seals and Patriot Awards to select civic leaders at a ceremony held at the Salt Lake Capitol on Oct. 26, 2022.
At the ceremony, Gov. Spencer Cox received both the ESGR’s Seven Seals Award and the Patriot Award. Mr. Gary Harter, executive director for the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and Mr. Jon Pierpont, chief of staff to the governor and former executive director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, also received the ESGR Seven Seals Award.
The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes employment and reemployment right for veterans and military personnel. Wednesday’s awards recognized the outstanding support offered by the state of Utah, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
“Employment and reemployment rights protection helps to keep our reserve components strong, viable and important elements of our Armed Forces and National Defense,” said Kim Watts, state chairman of the Utah ESGR.
The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
ESGR is a Department of Defense activity established on June 22, 1972, that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the reserve components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws, specifically the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act.
Additionally, ESGR offers USERRA training to businesses on their responsibilities to their Guard and Reserve employees. ESGR works with employers to encourage the employment of National Guard members and Reservists who bring military values of integrity, loyalty, and teamwork to the workplace, as well as provide perspective and leadership to the civilian workforce.