Golden State Foods employee deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of the GWOT

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Sgt. Lorenz Holcombe , a frozen selector for Golden State Foods in Phoenix, Ariz. is currently deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as a military policeman for the 539th Military Police Detachment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

IRAQ

07.11.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Story by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ - Army Reserve Sgt. Lorenzo Holcomb is currently deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Holcomb openly confessed how much he misses his family. "I look forward to being able to hold my beautiful wife and kids in my arms," he stated. In spite of these challenges, however, he indicated that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror helps make up for the hardships of deployment.

Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. Central Command is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests and assets in 27 nations stretching from the Horn of Africa, through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia.

In Baghdad, Iraq, Holcomb serves as a military policeman for the 539th Military Police Detachment. The sergeant has served in the military for 12 years; this is his second overseas deployment.

In his civilian occupation, Holcomb is a fork lift operator filling orders for Golden State Foods where he has worked for eight years. Holcomb raved about his employer's support while deployed. His employer told him, "Since you serve and protect me, I will take care of your family." Holcomb's employer is doing just that: paying for his family's health benefits, calling them, purchasing Christmas gifts, and inviting the family to company functions.

Today, more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Holcomb and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

According to Holcomb, the military discipline and skills practiced during this deployment will enable him to better perform his job when he returns home to Golden State Foods. He is looking forward to the day his deployment is over and he can return to work.

Holcomb, who calls Chandler, Ariz., his home, has been married to Valarie for ten years and they have two children - Brandon and Lauren. Holcomb's parents, Barbara and Fred Holcomb, live in Chicago, Ill.

USAR

• Date Taken: 07.11.2006
• Date Posted: 07.11.2006 14:57
• Story ID: 7137
• Location: IQ