Liberty Wing hosts Employer Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Nearly 25 employers of 512th Airlift Wing reservists participated in Employer Appreciation Day Oct. 3 at the Air Mobility Command Museum here. 

The event, cosponsored by the Delaware Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, is designed to give employers a taste of what it's like to be a Citizen Airman. 

512th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Michael T. Fitzhenry, 436th AW Commander Col. Manson O. Morris, and Gene Hebert, Delaware Committee of the ESGR, kicked the day off by welcoming the employers to the event and thanking them for their support. 

"Our nation calls upon our reservists to spend more time away from the workplace to train and meet a demanding operations tempo in support of world-wide commitments," said Colonel Fitzhenry. "We cannot accomplish the mission without the support of employers such as you." 

Colonel Fitzhenry then enlisted 8 new recruits as part of a mass enlistment ceremony. The newest Air Force Reserve members are from all over Delaware. 

The employers then participated in a mock enlistment ceremony, where they became Airmen for a day. 

The newly appointed Airmen were given a presentation of how new trainees become qualified servicemembers. The presentations included a physical fitness assessment, a description of Air Force career fields, and the proper way to wear chemical warfare protective gear. After the demonstrations, employers were taken on a tour of the military working dog facility and of aerial port, where they learned how cargo is processed and shipped worldwide. 

After lunch, Mr. Hebert briefed employers about ESGR, whose goal is to gain and maintain employer support. This organization also promotes understanding between reservists and employers by educating them on the laws, which assists with the resolution of conflicts from an employee's military commitment. In fact, 15 employers signed statements of supports at the event. This program asks employers to recognize the vital role of the Reserve components by pledging to support their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. 

The day concluded with a C-17 Globemaster III orientation flight to Niagara Falls. 

The plane ride was the highlight of the day said Dr. Marc Zubrow of Christiana Care Health System, who added he didn't know much about the Air Force Reserve until attending Employer Appreciation Day. 

This is exactly why Master Sgt. John Witzke nominated his employer Dr. Zubrow. 

"I wanted to give my employer an idea about what the Reserve mission is and how my absences from work benefits the military mission, which benefits everyone in the grand scheme of things," said the master sergeant. 

Sergeant Witzke's mission was accomplished by day's end. 

"Working in a large organization, I now know that reservists provide a vital function both to the base and with us," said Dr. Zubrow. "We'll work to make all due accommodations in order for them to serve their country."