WHEREAS, members of the North Carolina National Guard and Reserve Forces could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued meaningful civilian employer support for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, employers who support their National Guard and Reserve Force employees make sacrifices to encourage them to serve without reservation or concern for their civilian employment, thereby playing a critical role in the success of our National Defense strategy and readiness of our Armed Forces;
WHEREAS, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) was established in 1972 as a Department of Defense program to promote cooperation and understanding between members of the National Guard, Reserve Forces, and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitments; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina ESGR staff, employer partners, and volunteers develop and promote employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, and educating employers and members of the National Guard and Reserve Forces to increase awareness of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; and
WHEREAS, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week provides an opportunity to express our gratitude for civilian employers who support their Guard and Reserve employees, and to again express our gratitude to the North Carolinians who serve in the National Guard and Reserve Forces as well as their family members;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim August 21 – 27, 2022, as “EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.