Police Show Support for Guard and Reserve

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County law enforcement’s commitment to the Guard and Reserve flexed its uniformed collective muscle Oct. 24.
In a “Show of Strength,” sponsored by N.J. Parole Board and N.J. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, at the county Administration Building, most of the county’s police department chiefs or other ranking officers penned supportive documents to protect the rights of those called to active military duty. Those letters were signed under the watchful eyes of the New Jersey Parole Board Chairman James Plousis and county overseers of the program that protects employees who are members of Guard and Reserve units. They were retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Pierson, Southern Regional chair, Employee Support of The Guard and Reserve, and director of National Guard Training Center, and retired Lt. Col. Budd Springer, county chairman NJESGR.
Retired Marine Corps Col. Alan Smith, state chairman, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton with the prestigious Seven Seals Award for going above and beyond what the law requires to do for employees who are called to active duty.
Thornton, an Air Force veteran of 11 years, told the assembly the “Proudest moment of my life was when I served with all of you.” He recalled when the N.J. Army Nation Guard’s 253rd Transportation Co. was activated in the first Iraq “Desert Storm” war, he urged colleagues on the board to supplement wages of county employees who were called up, so that no families would suffer a financial hardship as a result of that service. That agreement remains active today for Guard and Reserve members summoned to active service.
Thornton further lauded the law enforcements officers, Sheriff’s and Corrections officers in the room who “Fight the war on our streets every day. I’m proud to stand among you and your colleagues past and present. You do whatever is asked without hesitation. I’m proud to have served and to be in the company of all of you.”
Pierson recalled the support Thornton gave in 1995 to the movement to spare the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center from being relocated to the West Coast. Further, Pierson cited Thornton’s continuing efforts to aid county veterans through the county Veterans Bureau in Rio Grande. He noted the Fare Free Transportation given veterans to dialysis units.
“Not one time has the 253rd (Transportation Company) been deployed that he (Thornton) was not there personally.” said Pierson.
Lt. Scott Farr, commanding officer, Coast Guard Station Cape May, told the group there were four full-time police officers who were members of the Coast Guard Reserve assisting his unit. He also noted the missions of the sea service and police departments are often similar, search and rescue.
Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Sippel, 57th Troop Command N.J. Army National Guard, Atlantic City, told the group he joined the National Guard in 1979, and stayed in the service. His son, now employed by the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department, has followed in his footsteps and is also a National Guard member.
Sippel told how important it is to the Guard member to have full backing of his or her employer. There are two chief reasons citizen-soldiers leave the military, job or family, he said. That is why it is vital to have the true support of the employer when the orders are received to deploy, sometimes for extended periods.
Smith said about two months ago, a Guard unit from the Bordentown area was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. He asked for a show of hands from those members who were going on their first deployment. There were about half of the hundred or so members. Finally, he asked about the fourth deployment and four members raised their hands. “That is how the Guard and Reserve is serving America,” said Smith.
Pierson said about 50 percent of those serving in combat theaters are Guard and Reserve members. For the most part, he added, they are National Guard.
The “Statements of Support for the Guard and Reserve state:
We recognize the Guard and Reserve are essential to the strength of our national and the well-being of our communities.
In the highest American tradition, the patriotic men and women of the Guard and Reserve serve voluntarily in an honorable and vital profession. They train to respond in their community and their country in time of need. They deserve the support of every segment of our society.
If these volunteer forces are to continue to serve our nation, increased public understanding is required of the essential role of the Guard and Reserve e in preserving our national security.
Therefore, we join other employers in pledging that:
We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crisis and in war.
Signing the above were chiefs or representatives of police departments from:
Avalon, Cape May, Lower Township Middle Township, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Wildwood and Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Also signing were the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Cape May County Sheriff’s Department.