HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on Monday signed a U.S. Defense Department Employer Statement of Support for the more than 1,300 Pennsylvania National Guard members and reservists who work for the Commonwealth, thanking them for their service and pledging to offer support as these Guard members and reservists fulfill their military service duties while under the Commonwealth’s employ.

(Photo: Governor Wolf signs a U.S. Defense Department Employer Statement of Suppor for Pennsylvania National Guard members. Photo courtesy of PA Internet News Service)

The governor was joined by the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, Maj. General Anthony Carrelli, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Col (ret.) Gregory Parish and George Mentzer from the Employer Support for Guardsman and Reservists Program.

“I am proud to be here today to officially sign the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Statement of Support for National Guardsmen and women across Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “This statement pledges our cooperation and support to our employees who need to take time away from their commonwealth duties to serve the people of Pennsylvania as members of the National Guard.”

The intent of the Employer Statement of Support for Guardsmen and Reservists program is to increase employer support by encouraging them to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.

The first Statement of Support was signed December 13, 1972, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by the Chairman of the Board of General Motors. President Richard Nixon was the first President to sign a Statement of Support, and in 2005 every Federal Cabinet Secretary and all Federal agencies signed a Statement of Support to signify their continuing efforts to be model employers. Since its inception, hundreds of thousands of employers have signed Statements of Support, pledging their support to Guard and Reserve employees. Pennsylvania currently has 31,000 actively serving Guard members and reservists.

“I urge all commonwealth employers to sign similar letters of support to ensure that, when duty calls, Guard members know that they can go without having to worry about responsibilities left behind at work,” Gov. Wolf said. “And so they can focus on their larger responsibility to the people of Pennsylvania. Their sacrifice, their bravery, and their willingness to do anything and go anywhere in service of their fellow Pennsylvanians is an inspiration.

“It is because of the work that our Guardsmen and women do that Pennsylvania has the finest National Guard in the nation, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”