Award Recognizes Outstanding Support to Employees Serving in National Guard and Reserves

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/31/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, presented AT&T with the ESGR Above and Beyond Award May 30 in recognition of outstanding support to its employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

The Above and Beyond Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize employers providing extraordinary support and cooperation to their employees who have answered the call to serve. The award is given in limited numbers by ESGR state committees to employers who go well above the basic requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, or USERRA, in supporting their Guard and Reserve employees and have had at least one of their supervisors or managers recognized with a Patriot Award. It is the second highest ESGR award given at the state level.

"Supportive civilian employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve," said Lt. Col. Tim Franklin, Illinois ESGR Program Director. "A Guardsman or Reservist has to maintain a balance between their military obligations, family life and civilian career. The things AT&T is doing to support your citizen warriors helps make it easier for them to maintain that balance and continue to serve in uniform. This Above and Beyond Award recognizes that support."

Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair, Stan Zielinski and volunteer, Allan Woodson, presented AT&T managers Steve Cacciatore and Cararrus Baltimore with the Above and Beyond Award at the company's south Springfield facility. Illinois ESGR selected AT&T to receive the award based on the Patriot Award presented to Baltimore in 2012. Baltimore was nominated for the Patriot Award by AT&T employee and Illinois Army National Guardsman, Chief Warrant Officer David Rogers, to show his appreciation for the support of his service in the Illinois National Guard.

"Mr. Baltimore is highly supportive of my military service and training schedule," said Rodgers in his Patriot Award nomination. "He went to great lengths to help with payroll issues while I was attending training with the Illinois National Guard in Minnesota. He is a great supporter of the military and is always there to assist myself or my family."

"On behalf of Illinois ESGR and our State Chair, Dr. Michael Ayers, I am honored to present you with this Above and Beyond Award," said Zielinski. "I would like to thank AT&T for the outstanding support you have shown Chief Rogers in his service with the military. This award recognizes that AT&T is among those employers across the country that go well 'above and beyond' the basic requirements of USERRA in supporting service in the National Guard and Reserve."

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in resolving issues arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,900 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly 140 Illinois ESGR volunteers across the state work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve.

Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti Retires from the Illinois National Guard After Four Decades; Story by Mike Chrisman, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/29/2013)(readMedia)-- Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield has always made time for both his military and civilian family. After 41 years, he is saying farewell to his family in the Illinois Army National Guard.

"He holds a strong bond to family life. His ability to manage the busy life of the Guard and then take time to spend time with all of us is unbelievable," said Celletti's only son, Maj. Jason Celletti of Springfield, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Urbana. "As a father and grandfather he is very committed to ensure that he is at events like football games, volleyball games and even just the family cook outs."

Celletti commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1976 and will retire May 31 as the Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Illinois National Guard.

"In order to be a professional, you have to have a professional career and my wife and family have always understood that and been very supportive and that makes it easier to balance," Celletti said. "When I have had time, I have gone out of my way to have family time and that's important."

Jason said his dad always taught him the Illinois Army National Guard was a family that instills the common threads of commitment, service, dedication and caring. While his dad was extremely busy with work, Jason said he always found time to attend sporting events and volunteer with the Boy Scouts.

Jason said the birth of his daughter Milana brought out a side of the general that many never see.

"The strong, stern major general just melts in her hands," Jason said. "Just the other night she was coloring in her book and like any 2-year old, she missed the page. Sure enough it put a big green streak on the white carpet. What would have been a scold or life lesson for me, for her it was; 'Oh it will wash out, no big deal.'"

Celletti admits his granddaughter tugs at his heart.

"I've missed a lot of family time in my career and it makes you enjoy the precious times even more," Celletti said. "Others have said kids bring out a side of me that most people haven't seen before."

There are many experiences that stand out to Celletti during his career. However, the proudest moments involve his family and watching his son grow as a Soldier and leader.

"I am proud of my son because he has made all of the decisions on his own," he said. "He made all the right decisions and he is right where he needs to be and doing well. I am proud of him, but he is not following in my footsteps. He is making his own way through a professional organization doing what he wants to do."

Celletti became the first Assistant Adjutant General in Illinois history to achieve the rank of major general. He has served in the position since 2005 and advises the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to the Illinois Army National Guard and its 10,000 Soldiers.

"I feel proud, but it's not about what I have done. It's about what we have done and accomplished as an organization," Celletti said. "We are a solid team. Everyone has the same goals and objectives. I hope I look back in 10 years and still see that we have the same attitude. That is what makes us the Guard."

Celletti grew up in Sterling, Ill., and followed several generations of family who donned a uniform.

"I saw what they did for our country and I felt the need to serve," Celletti said. "Our military is one percent of the population. If you break it down, it goes generation to generation of families serving. It's patriotism built in the genes and it keeps carrying on."

Over his lengthy career, Celletti made a lot of special connections across Illinois. However, the relationship he built in Woodstock, Ill., was different than many others. Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry in Woodstock lost four Soldiers when it deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 to 2009.

"I had the honor of working with several of the Gold Star families," Celletti said. "They are now part of the Illinois National Guard family and we will not forget their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation."

Mark Greenleaf of Woodstock worked with Celletti several times when Celletti visited Woodstock and praised the general for his commitment to the military and community.

"You don't have to serve with Major General Celletti to understand how much he cares for the men and women in his command; a civilian like me could see it," Greenleaf said. 'We're very grateful for the visits he made here when our Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, when they returned from combat, and to honor our local veterans, our military families and our fallen. After his 40 years of distinguished service, I wish him a happy and well-earned retirement."

Over the course of a career, many individuals influenced Celletti and made him the leader he is today. Col. (ret.) Ray Perry of Springfield, Ill., was the commander of the 106th Cavalry in Rock Falls when Celletti first commissioned as a second lieutenant 37 years ago. Perry said he knew Celletti was going to be a solid leader for the Illinois National Guard.

"He was one of the hardest workers I have ever had in my formations," Perry said. "He did the best he could do and always stood up for what was right. He has become an amazing leader."

Celletti said some of the toughest assignments he had in his career have been when he was in command of a unit.

"It's tough when you are in the position, but looking back it was worth it to know Soldiers respected you and do what you want," he said. "They're doing it because they respect you."

Jason said his dad was a great leader, but his leadership is the reason the Illinois Army National Guard won't miss a beat when he retires.

"He once told me that if you do your job as a leader and trainer, then you will have full confidence in the Soldiers that will fill your shoes," Jason said.

Celletti's advice to young servicemembers is to never stop learning and always strive to improve. He also stressed the importance of looking after the people who are important.

"Take care of your family and fellow Soldiers and Airmen by doing the right thing and they will take care of you," he said.

Celletti has numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

Celletti jokingly said the top three things he plans to do when he retires are: golf, golf and more golf with some trips in the RV and occasional work in his woodshop.

"After several months together with my wife Kathy, I know she will make me do something to keep me busy and her sane," Celletti said. "So, until then, I may look for some good retirement job just to keep my mind sharp, but a job with a lot of flexibility to still do number one, number two and number three on my list."

Senator Chuck Grassley will attend the Memorial Day Parade and speak at the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday in Aplington. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Amvets Post 102 Building in the 900 block of Patriot Street in Aplington.  The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Senator Grassley is an original co-sponsor of the Veterans Access to Care Act introduced Thursday by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The legislation would help to improve veterans' medical facilities by allowing facilities with a need for additional health care professionals to apply to be designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area.  Once designated, these facilities have access to National Health Service Corps, which provides service-obligated scholarships and loan forgiveness to health professional students who pledge to practice for at least two years in a Health Professional Shortage Area.  The bill also would require the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a process for veterans' facilities to qualify as Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Below is a statement from Senator Grassley about Memorial Day, thanking those who have served and remembering those who have given their lives for freedom.

Memorial Day - Reflecting on the True Price of Freedom by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Memorial Day really is a community-oriented holiday.  The first observances of what we now call Memorial Day were spontaneous expressions of gratitude and remembrance on the part of Civil War veterans for their fallen comrades, organized by veterans groups in local communities.  Only once it became an established tradition did state legislatures and Congress recognize the day as an official holiday.  The tradition remains for local organizations to recognize Memorial Day with moving and heartfelt observances.

Memorial Day is a time for families and neighbors to gather in remembrance and in tribute to those individuals from their community who gave their lives for our country.  This allows us to remember them not as strangers, but as sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers.

When you first arrive at a national cemetery, you are struck by the sea of identical white headstones spreading across green fields.  When you draw closer, you see the name of an individual and their home state, with a date often indicating a young life taken too soon.  That's when it hits home that these are not anonymous soldiers, but individual Americans who left behind a hole in the lives of their loved ones.

I've made it my practice to honor each Iowa soldier that has died in Iraq and Afghanistan with a personal tribute in The Congressional Record.  In the process of doing that, I have learned a little bit about each of these brave Iowans.  I've learned about their hobbies, their sense of humor, and the families they left behind.  I've also noticed that time after time, the family members say the same thing; that their loved one was proud to serve their country, knew the risks, and accepted them.  You can't help but be deeply touched by that kind of selflessness.

I'm proud that we have so many such people in Iowa.  I think it's in close-knit communities like we have in Iowa where the value of service to our fellow Americans is most ingrained.  Neighbors help neighbors and people really care about each other's lives.  When a soldier from a tight-knit community goes off to war, he knows the people he's fighting for by name.  And, if he doesn't come back, his loss is felt very personally in his home town.  We have a solemn duty to honor those who have fallen in service to our country, not in the abstract, but as family members, friends, and neighbors.  Remembering the individual lives of our fallen heroes is deeply humbling and profoundly American.

It's also important to remember what they were fighting for.  Our nation is unique in human history in that it was founded not on the basis of a common ethnic identity or loyalty to a monarch, but on certain enduring principles.  Those principles are best articulated in the simple but eloquent words of the Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Our patriot forefathers concluded that these principles were worth fighting for and took up arms.  The odds were not great that groups of local militias and a hastily cobbled together national army would defeat the largest and best training military at the time.  Nevertheless, our forefathers risked everything because they believed so deeply in the fundamental truths just mentioned.

Our founding principles are as true today as they have always been and generations of Americans have given their lives to protect that unique and precious gift of liberty.  It's impossible to describe in words the debt of gratitude we owe these fallen heroes, but Memorial Day is a reminder for each of us to reflect on the true price of our freedom.  God bless all those who defend our freedom.