Metropolis, IL (January 10, 2010 - Vocus/PRWEB)—The U.S. Foodservice Paducah, Ky. Division was honored today with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Kentucky National Guard and Reserves. The presentation was made by the Kentucky Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense.
U.S. Foodservice also signed an ESGR statement of support for the National Guard and Reserve, joining other employers in pledging that:
- It fully recognizes, honors and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
- Its managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- It will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Bob Silverthorn, Kentucky ESGR chair. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”
U.S. Foodservice’s Paducah division was nominated for the award by employee 1st Sgt. Thomas L. Adkins. Specifically, Adkins nominated supervisors Larry Milliken, Jimmy Kiser, Debbie Williams and Randy Finnie.
Adkins cited the strong support of U.S. Foodservice during both of his deployments. In 2004, the Paducah center placed supportive yellow ribbons on every truck in its fleet. During his second mobilization in 2008, Adkins fractured his neck and injured his spine in a fall. He is still in rehabilitation.
Adkins said his U.S. Foodservice supervisors have stayed in contact with him and his family, and assured him his job would be waiting for him when he returned. While mobilized, he said the company also delivered a Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas ham to his family.
“They treat my family and me just as if we were members of their own family,” Adkins said of U.S. Foodservice. “When I have to go away for military duty I do not worry about my family because I know they will be taken care of.”
Adkins serves with the 3-398/ 3rd Brigade of the 95th Division (IT).
“We are deeply honored that one of our employees recommended U.S. Foodservice for this recognition by the Department of Defense, and wish Tom the best as he continues rehabilitation for his injuries,” said Stuart Schuette, chief operating officer, U.S. Foodservice. “We have many employees across our divisions serving in the military and nothing is more important than showing our support for their service and being sure they know how vital they are to our company and customers.”
U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 25,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As an industry leader, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments.
As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with 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 calling Reginald Youngblood, Kentucky Committee executive director at (859) 312-8800.
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