Prospect Waterproofing employee performs active duty military tour in Iraq

IRAQ

07.25.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Lt. Col. Martin Moerschell
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ - District of Columbia Army National Guardsman Sgt. David Stanton, a crew leader for Prospect Waterproofing Co., in Sterling, Va., is currently deployed to Camp Liberty, 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.

"Being so far away from home and family and missing the daily activities I enjoy has been difficult," voiced Stanton. In spite of these challenges, however, Stanton said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom makes up for many of the hardships he encounters.

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.

At Camp Liberty, Stanton serves as a power generator/light wheel mechanic with Headquarter, Headquarters Battalion, 372 Military Police Battalion. Stanton's duties entails trouble shooting and repairing the complex generators on the Humvee vehicles assigned to the battalion. The Sergeant has served in the military for 18-years and has been on two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; his first was in 2003 to Kandahar in Afghanistan for one year and now this one.

In his civilian occupation, Stanton is a 10-year employee with Prospect Waterproofing Co., located in Sterling, Va. As a crew leader he assists and oversees contracts, putting on roofs and waterproofing basements. "Prospect has been very good to me while I have been away by sending me care packages and e-mailing me from time to time," Stanton said. "My employer appreciates all that we are doing as soldiers and they look forward to my safe return. They've ensured me my job will be there when I come home," said Stanton.

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 Stanton 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].

"My wife is very proud of me for serving my country even though it is hard. She knows I can do whatever I need to do in order to come home safe to her," said Stanton.

Stanton, who calls Mechanicsville, Va. his hometown, is the son of Daisy Stanton from Dillwyn, Va. He is married to the former Ivy Jones and they have four children: Terin, Ebonie, Jeremy, and Zachary

• Date Taken: 07.25.2006
• Date Posted: 07.25.2006 14:57
• Story ID: 7306
• Location: IQ