Darryl Worley Honored by ESGR With Seven Seals Award

UPSTATE, SC – On, July 4th, MG Eli Wishart (US Army Retired), SC State Chair for the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), proudly presented singer/songwriter Darryl Worley with the Seven Seals Award, the highest award a state chair can give. The presentation took place during the Independence Day concert – A Night with Darryl Worley: Honoring Our Heroes, sponsored by TRZ Management, the City of Simpsonville at the Charter Spectrum Amphitheater in Heritage Park, Simpsonville, S.C. Also supporting the event were Upstate Warrior Solution, Greenville Hospital System, the Greenville Drive, Anderson County and the Anderson/Greenville/Spartanburg US Army Recruiting Stations.

“The Seven Seals Award is given to those who go far above and beyond the call of duty in serving our Guard and Reserve Soldiers,” said Wishart. “Darryl Worley is truly the Man of the Hour in his demonstration of service, even going into harm’s way to perform and bring a little bit of home to our deployed service members. This award aptly states, ‘Presented to Darryl Worley for his meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the Guard and Reserve.’ We couldn’t ask for a better ambassador. Thank you Darryl for your dedicated service to our Soldiers.”

According to ESGR, there are approximately 30,000 South Carolinians who have been deployed overseas in support of the war on terrorism since 9-11.

“Darryl Worley is the real deal,” said Angela Stringer (Upstate ESGR Ambassador & Anderson County PIO). “This morning, Darryl visited the Simpsonville Senior Activities Center to spend one-on-one time with Upstate Soldiers and Veterans. The room was filled with our brave heroes from conflicts spanning 70 years (WW II, Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq). Darryl personally spoke with each veteran and their family members and ended his 2 hour visit by singing two of his most popular songs, Just Came Back From A War and Have You Forgotten. He really cares about each veteran and with him, its not just words. His actions bear out his love for each and every service member.”

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the Department of Defense.

The ESGR also promotes Employer ‘Statements of Support’ as confirmation that a company recognizes, honors and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).  It not only shows their desire to follow the letter of the law, but also demonstrates their willingness to embrace the heart of USERRA, with an appreciation for the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce. Most importantly, it is a company’s pledge to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life, recognizing their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.

The ESGR Statement of Support confirms an Employer’s willingness to join other companies across the nation in pledging:

·   We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).

·   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 crises and in war.

“Supportive employers are critical to the strength and readiness of our nation’s Guard and Reserve,” said Wishart. “Many Upstate businesses have signed Statements of Support. We encourage other employers to follow in their footsteps by honoring the job that service members do to protect our way of life.”

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil. Upstate Employers who are interested in signing a Statement of Support may email Angela Stringer at [email protected].