The Wisconsin Bankers Association signed a “statement of support” with the members of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) during a ceremony held June 5 at the WBA offices in Madison. Other groups around Wisconsin and across the country have signed similar statements and WBA is encouraging its members to sign on as well.

“WBA is proud to join the many banks and businesses that already are a part of this important endeavor,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president/CEO. “This is  a significant way for our association to honor and serve those in the National Guard and Reserves.

“On a personal note, I believe it is important to support the re-employment of veterans as I come from a military family with both a father and uncle who were in World War II and another uncle who was in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War,” she said.

By signing the statement of support, the WBA pledges that:

• It fully recognizes, honors and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act.
• Its managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.
• It will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crisis, and in war.

Dick Vallin, chair of the Wisconsin Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, said: “By meeting the statement of support criteria, WBA will stand proudly with Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.”

Click here for more on ESGR.

A photo of the signing ceremony, including several banks and ESGR representatives, will be featured on the cover of the June 15-30 edition of NorthWestern Financial Review magazine.