Minnesota Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

06/25/2025

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ESGR, a Department of War office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from military service.

06/11/2025

First Lieutenant Travis Salo, Army National Guard, presented the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award to his supervisor, Ms. Michelle Thompson, Fresenius Medical Care in Duluth April 30. 1st Lt. Salo was very appreciative of Thompson’s support and assistance with his service to the ARNG and wanted to honor her. The Patriotic Employer Award recognizes the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, support for families, and granting leaves of absence as needed.

In the photo, left to right: James Conger, ESGR Region 2 volunteer; Jenna Anderberg, Regional Vice President for Fresenius; Fred Godec, ESGR Region 2 chair; Michelle Thompson, and 1st Lt. Salo.

06/02/2025

Funeral services are set for Tom Simonet. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Ave., in Stillwater, and also one hour before the Mass at the church on Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 623 S. Fifth Street, Stillwater. A luncheon at the Church will immediately follow. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport, MN.

Obituary for Tom Simonet:

View Thomas Simonet's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/30/2025

We lost a great ESGR warrior yesterday. Tom Simonet passed away on Thursday evening. Tom made significant contributions to Minnesota ESGR, including serving as the state chair for many years. He will be missed, and we thank him for all his dedication to our service members, Veterans, and employers.

05/13/2025

First Lieutenant Travis Salo, Army National Guard, presented the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award April 30 to his supervisor, Michelle Thompson. The award was given at Essentia Health, Duluth, in recognition of Thompson’s support of her employee's service to the Minnesota Army National Guard.

In addition to receiving a Patriotic Employer Award, Thompson signed an ESGR Statement of Support.

Photo left to right: James Conger, ESGR Region 2 volunteer; Jenna Anderberg, Regional Vice President for Fresenius; Fred Godec, Region 2 Chair for the Minnesota ESGR; Michelle Thompson, and 1LT Travis Salo.

04/23/2025

Fred Godec, long-time ESGR volunteer, was presented with the ESGR Lifetime Achievement Award by Colonel Troy Fink, Base Commander of Camp Ripley, on behalf of ESGR on April 11 in recognition of his outstanding support and service to the Minnesota National Guard and Reserves and the employers of those servicemembers.

A member of the MN ESGR since June 2005, Godec continues to serve as the Region 2 chair for the MN ESGR.

Photo left to right: Jack Grams Awards Director ESGR, Fred Godec, Col. Troy Fink, and Minnesota ESGR State Chair Chad Sackett.

04/17/2025

Scott Wright, Todd County Sheriff Jail Administrator; was presented with the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award at Camp Ripley April 11. Wright was nominated by Spec. Gabriel Rittenour, Minnesota Army National Guard.

“Scott has always worked with my schedule and my military obligations with the 34th Military Police Company,” said Rittenour. “Because of Scott, I have never had a conflict between work and my military obligations. Scott values my military training and enables me to share my knowledge with co-workers through formal police training events.”

Photo left to right: Jack Grams, ESGR Awards Director; Scott Wright, Col. Troy Fink, Camp Ripley Commander; Spec. Gabriel Rittenour, and Minnesota ESGR State Chair Chad Sackett.

04/07/2025

Congratulations to the Metropolitan Airports Commission for being selected as a finalist for the Secretary of Defense ESGR Freedom Award. SFC Dustin Dodge, Air Force Reserve, nominated the Metropolitan Airports Commission for the award. The Freedom Award is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense. ESGR received 1,626 nominations for this prestigious award for employers.

“My department has made many efforts to ease the burden of military service by making the process for taking time off work simple and stress free. They sent me care packages during my recent deployment.,” said Dodge. “My employer makes every effort to stay in contact with the families of deployed members. My department made if very clear they would be available to help my family with plowing snow, house maintenance issues, child care assistant, or any need that came up.”

The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award early this summer.

04/03/2025

Congratulations to Honeywell Aero for being selected as a finalist for the Secretary of Defense ESGR Freedom Award. 1LT Zachary Koop, Marine Corps Reserve, nominated Honeywell for the award. The Freedom Award is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense. ESGR received 1,626 nominations for this prestigious award for employers.

“Honeywell’s approach goes far beyond what is required—they have created a culture that truly embraces and supports service members,” said Koop. “Their commitment has been instrumental in my ability to serve, knowing that my professional life was in the hands of a world-class, supportive employer.”

The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award early this summer.

02/22/2025

Congratulations to Mathew Meyer, Ombudsman Director, on his selection as the Central Region Operations Volunteer of the Year! Thanks for all you do to support the Minnesota Committee and the National Program. You make us proud.

02/10/2025

Minnesota Army National Guard Spc. Stephen Nelson presented the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award to his supervisor, Rockford High School Principal Paul Menard. The award was given Feb. 5 at Rockford High School in recognition of Menard's support of his employee's service to the Minnesota National Guard.
Award photo left to right: Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover, Superintendent of Rockford Area Schools; Menard, Spc. Nelson, and Bob Adams, ESGR.