This week, your San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is proud and honored to recognize the work and sacrifices of our nation’s finest Citizen Warriors, the Guard and Reserve Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, who live and work among us daily and train to defend and fight for our freedoms around the globe. Additionally, we would like to extend a special thanks to the employers who continue to provide professional career opportunities while this invaluable volunteer force is away in training or supporting military operations.
This week, in a proclamation by the President of the United States, President Trump states, “The men and women of the National Guard and Reserve make significant contributions to both our thriving economy and our strong national defense. In all facets of the civilian workforce, from small businesses to large corporations, they bring to bear considerable expertise, experience, and professionalism.” He also challenges us with a call to action, “… to join me in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the civilian employers who provide critical support to the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.”
San Antonio is no stranger to supporting Guard and Reserve service members and their families. We are home to the 149th Fighter Wing, a unit of the Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Kelly Field Annex. Although the unit has experienced several reorganizations in its more than 70-year history, it has always flown fighter aircraft and continues to receive accolades for its role in training future F-16 pilots who are exceptionally skilled to provide whatever mission they are called to employ.
We also host the 433rd Air Lift Wing, also known as the "Alamo Wing," an Air Force Reserve unit with approximately 3,400 members stationed at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland. The 433rd AW's flying squadron is the 68th Airlift Squadron, the first Air Force Reserve squadron to fly its own C-5A Galaxy aircraft. The world's second largest aircraft, the C-5A, is designed to provide massive strategic airlift for deployment and supply of combat and support forces worldwide. It can carry unusually large and heavy cargo at intercontinental ranges and jet speeds. Since its activation, the Alamo Wing has enjoyed the esteem of the San Antonio military community as well as that of the Reserve forces. Under today's Total Force Policy the wing is an integral part of America's defense forces. In addition to these units, we support multiple other Reserve and Guard component partners and missions, who help to secure our protections locally and abroad.
Additionally, our employers go above and beyond in their direct support. San Antonio is the only city in the United States to boast four esteemed winners of the coveted Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Each year, Guard and Reserve employees, or a family member acting on their behalf, have the opportunity to nominate their employer for the Employer Support Freedom Award. Since the Freedom Award was instituted in 1996, 220 employers have been honored at annual ceremonies in Washington, DC. The ceremony is currently held at the Pentagon, with the awards being presented by either the Secretary of Defense or Deputy Secretary of Defense. Joining San Antonio winners from years past — USAA (2005), Pape-Dawson Engineers (2013), and Andeavor – Marathon Petroleum (2018) — we are proud to congratulate Levi Rodgers Real Estate Group at REMAX Military City, as one of the prestigious award winners for 2019.
For more information or ideas on how to support our community’s Guard and Reserve members, as well as the organizations who employ them, contact Caryl Hill, Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Area 4, San Antonio Chair at carylhill@satexas.com.
