Wright Wing hosts Employer Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shen-Chia Chu
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Nearly 50 employers of the 445th Airlift Wing reservists participated in Employer Appreciation Day June 4.

Col. Steven Johnson, 445th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 445th AW command chief, kicked the day off by welcoming and thanking the employers with the mission briefing and a complimentary breakfast sponsored by the Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Woody Stroud, an ESGR representative also spoke to the employers

"We are grateful Reservists have family, friends and employers who fully support them," said Colonel Johnson. "Our Airmen couldn't accomplish their mission without the support of understanding employers."

The day's activities began with demonstrations and briefings from 88th Security Forces Squadron, 445th Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Shop, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Medical Education and Training Facility, and the 445th Operations Support Squadron.

During the tour, Terry Martin, President of Northern Tower Company, shared that this event gave him a new and positive perspective about his employee, Tech. Sgt. LaNay Barley, 445th Maintenance Squadron.

"I feel LaNay's reserve duty is a two-way street. Although she needs to take time away from us, I get a better employee in return because of her training and discipline on the base," said Mr. Martin. "I am very impressed by this whole experience in seeing how dedicated LaNay's other job is to perfection. I am also very impressed with the fact that they are able to manufacture their own parts for an aircraft."

When a reservist deploys, it may be difficult for him or her to keep their civilian jobs due to the length of time they are unavailable. But for Tech. Sgt. Cleve Samuel, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, he's grateful to know that his boss allows him time off to support the Air Force mission.

While on deployment to Balad, Iraq, the sergeant heard about Employer Appreciation Day and felt it was important to invite his employer.

"I made it a priority to invite Dennis Poovey, CVS Pharmacy district manager, because I knew this would be a great opportunity to show him a little of what we do during unit training assembly weekends and deployments," said Sergeant Samuel. "I wanted to thank Dennis by inviting him to a tour of the base for Employer Appreciation Day as a way to show him my gratitude for his support."

Although the sergeant has deployed three times now, his employer is cooperative and receptive with putting his work schedule on hold as he dedicates his service overseas.

"Cleve is the first military member I've had work for me and when he lets us know he is deploying there are no questions asked - I just let him know that we will have a position waiting for him when he gets back," said Mr. Poovey.