ESGR Arkansas Chapter presents Little Rock law firm with Patriot Award Published Oct. 29, 2021 By Master Sgt. Jessica Roles 189th Airlift Wing LLITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The Little Rock law firm Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon and Galchus P.C. was awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award for their support to the Arkansas Air National Guard, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Little Rock, Ark. The award was presented to them by Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Normal Gilchrest, the Arkansas Chapter ESGR training director, along with the support of Col. Dean Martin, the 189th Airlift Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Brian Rohauer, the 189 AW command chief. The business was nominated by Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Kraska, the 189 AW human resource advisor. Kraska is a drill status Guardsman at the wing and works full-time at the firm as an attorney. “Throughout my employment, everyone has been very supportive and accommodating of my military service,” Kraska said. “When I was on military orders for four months this year, everyone emailed me thanking me for my service and checked in on me and my family. They’re always flexible with me in scheduling drill and annual training. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to take advantage of opportunities that allowed my military career to flourish.” The ESGR program was established in 1972 as a way to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. The program supports Guard and Reserve members’ employers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program also helps small businesses who hire veterans better understand the requirements of their military service members and brings awareness of responsibilities and rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. For more information on the ESGR program, USERRA or to nominate your employer, visit the ESGR website at https://www.esgr.mil/. Instructions and deadlines are available on the website for your convenience.