Bourne, MA – Friday, June 13, 2008.
It was a perfect spring day on Otis Air
National Guard Base, Bourne MA the venue for this year's Annual
Employer Appreciation Day. Sheriff Jim Cummings greeted the group at
The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office and provided the
"Joe". According to MAESGR Program Support Specialist
David St. Germain, this was the largest employer attended event the
committee has ever held. On hand for this milestone were more than
sixty employers of Guardsmen and Reservists as well as seven members
of the Massachusetts ESGR Committee.
The guests were transported from unit to unit
by military buses, to hear informative briefings and view static
displays provided by the US Coast Guard/Reserve, the Army National
Guard and the Air National Guard. They visited the recently
dedicated
Camp
Kelly, a replica of an actual Middle Eastern base camp. The camp was
constructed to provide real time familiarization to Soldiers
deploying overseas.
Acting State Chair
Thomas Boyle
thanked all the employers at a luncheon held at 253rd Combat
Communications Group. Col Anthony Schiavi, Commander, 102nd
Intelligence Wing and Lt Col Art Wunder, Deputy Commander, 253rd
Combat Communications Group detailed the transformation of the base
from fighter aircraft needs to a more intelligence based operation.
Both officers stressed the importance and the growing need of Guard
and Reserve members to man the facilities.
Following lunch and after a safety briefing by
Army National Guard aviation personnel, employers were treated to a
Blackhawk helicopter ride over the base and the
Cape Cod Canal. As you can well imagine, this proved to be the
highlight of the day!
An after-action survey of the employers who attended this special
event, elicited numerous kudos. Everyone voiced their admiration for
those who have dedicated their lives in service to our country. They
all were amazed at the level of professionalism, respect,
intelligence and enthusiasm demonstrated by the men and women they
met here today. Every employer left with a renewed commitment to
support his or her Citizen Soldiers.
