76.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesDepartment of Defense Honors Home Depot for Its Support of V.I....

Department of Defense Honors Home Depot for Its Support of V.I. National Guard and Reserve

V.I. State Chair Beresford Edwards (right) presents Home Depot representatives, Hermeian Leon, human resources manager and Warren Cork, store manager, with a Seven Seals Award.The U.S. Virgin Islands Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, presented St. Croix Home Depot Store No. 8622 on Aug. 19 with a “Seven Seals Award” in recognition for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the U.S. V.I. National Guard and Reserve.
According to Beresford Edwards, ESGR U.S. Virgin Islands chair, “The ESGR ‘Seven Seals Award’ was created by ESGR to publicly recognize American Employers who provide extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors 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.”
At the presentation ceremony were Hermeian Leon, human resources manager, Warren Cork, store manager, Tonia Morgan, district human resources manager, Beresford Edwards, ESGR USVI state chair and Verna Walcott, employment transition coordinator.
St. Croix Home Depot Store No. 8622 joins with thousands of American employers who have reviewed and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA). Many employers provide “above and beyond” support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages and extension of health care benefits that complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.
St. Croix Home Depot was also recognized at the ESGR Employer and Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held on July 31 at the Buccaneer on St. Croix. They were awarded for their continued support and hiring of local service members and veterans. They are upholding Home Depot’s commitment to the military community.
Home Depot recognizes that members of the U.S. military community are highly skilled, motivated and hard working. In an effort to support this community, Home Depot joined forces in 2004 with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs to provide rewarding and challenging career opportunities in their stores and distribution centers across the nation for current and former members of America’s military.
As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR provides education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by contacting Bereseford Edwards at beresford.edwards@us.army.mil.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.