The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) office, presented Lamers Bus Lines, Inc. employee Theresa Hanneman, with the organization’s prestigious Seven Seals Award. The award ceremony took place Jan. 29 at Lamers Bus Lines Wisconsin Rapids location.
“Many times we call her with changes or on short notice, and even on weekends,” said SFC Kyle McKittrick in his nomination of Hanneman for the award. “She often comes in or works from home to help us move troops around the state. Her support is often behind the scenes and many soldiers do not know the work she puts in to make these buses happen, on time, every time.”
Hanneman said she enjoys working with the National Guard, and likes the thrill of problem solving and challenge of coordinating large moves of soldiers and last minute transportation that comes up.
Of course, she said she cannot do it alone and credits the other Lamers Bus Lines terminals and drivers for making these trips successful.
“I have a lot of support from other terminals filling the trips with drivers and buses,” said Hanneman. “We couldn’t possibly do all the runs out of Wisconsin Rapids. I know the drivers are very capable of handling any situation on the road and get the soldiers to and from the destination safely. Nothing could be done without them. They are the best!”
The Seven Seals award, signed by the National Chairman of ESGR, is presented for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve. The Award is symbolic of the seven services: Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. The award may be presented at either the state or national levels to honor significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.
Lamers Bus Lines, Inc. President Allen Lamers signed a Statement of Support for the Department of Defense Office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The Statement of Support confirms Lamers Bus Lines joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
ESGR was established by the Department of Defense in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of Guard and Reserve members who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
Lamers Bus Lines is Wisconsin’s largest family-owned motor coach and school bus operator and serves communities from more than 30 locations in Wisconsin, and locations in Central Florida and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In addition to motor coach charters and school bus service, Lamers offers limousine service, medical transport, intercity bus routes, large group trip planning, and motor coach tour trips. For more information, please visit GoLamers.com.
