[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 46101-46102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17801]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 46101]]

                Proclamation 10238 of August 13, 2021

                
National Employer Support of the Guard and 
                Reserve Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since our founding, courageous men and women have vowed 
                to serve and defend our country, protect our citizens, 
                and uphold the principles of our Constitution. The 
                citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard, and 
                the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast 
                Guardsmen of the Reserve, proudly carry on this 
                tradition today. During National Employer Support of 
                the Guard and Reserve Week, we thank and celebrate the 
                civilian employers whose support of our National Guard 
                and Reserve members helps to sustain our all-volunteer 
                force and our national spirit of service.

                National Guard and Reserve members are essential to the 
                safety and security of our Nation, ready to serve at 
                home or abroad at any moment's notice. From working on 
                the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, to responding 
                to storm damage and raging wildfires, to deploying 
                overseas, supporting peacekeeping missions abroad, and 
                conducting multilateral exercises with allies and 
                partner nations, National Guard and Reserve members put 
                their lives on hold--away from both their families and 
                their civilian workplaces--to stand as a shield or a 
                support whenever our country is in need. When they 
                complete their mission, National Guard and Reserve 
                members return to their civilian careers and fulfill 
                their obligation of monthly weekend drills and annual 
                trainings--always ensuring they are ready to answer the 
                next call to serve.

                We owe a profound gratitude to our National Guard and 
                Reserve members, as well as their civilian employers. 
                In supporting their talented employees' service to our 
                Nation, employers of National Guard and Reserve members 
                directly contribute to our military readiness and our 
                national security. As our Guard and Reserve members 
                navigate the challenges that accompany their service, 
                many civilian employers go above and beyond to support 
                our service members and their families. National Guard 
                and Reserve members should not have to worry about 
                their civilian employment while they are serving on a 
                mission, and many employers are stepping up with 
                generous pay and leave policies, extension of benefits 
                like health care for family members, and flexibility 
                and support for Guard and Reserve spouses to help 
                fulfill our sacred obligation as a Nation to always 
                take care of those who serve in uniform.

                My Administration understands the national security 
                imperative behind improving the well-being of our 
                service members and their families as they balance the 
                pressures of their civilian careers with the demands of 
                military service. Through the First Lady's work with 
                Joining Forces, we are committed to supporting military 
                and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors through 
                economic and entrepreneurship opportunities, support 
                for military child education, and health and well-being 
                resources. Ensuring continuing economic opportunities 
                for military and veteran families through meaningful 
                employment is essential, and we are grateful for all of 
                the employers who understand the value in hiring and 
                retaining National Guard and Reserve members and their 
                spouses.

[[Page 46102]]

                The Biden family is a National Guard family, and we are 
                forever grateful and in awe of those who, like our son 
                Beau, understand that duty and service to others is 
                what makes us who we are as Americans. We understand 
                some of the unique challenges that National Guard and 
                Reserve members and their families face--challenges 
                that are made smaller because of the incredible, 
                patriotic support of their employers. I encourage all 
                Americans to join me in recognizing and thanking 
                employers of our National Guard and Reserve members for 
                their vast contributions to our economy, our 
                communities, and the success of our Nation and our 
                Armed Forces. I also encourage National Guard and 
                Reserve members to recognize their employers who have 
                gone above and beyond in supporting them with the 
                Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the 
                Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation 
                and understanding between civilian employers and their 
                National Guard and Reserve employees.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 15 
                through August 21, 2021, as National Employer Support 
                of the Guard and Reserve Week. I call upon the people 
                of the United States, State and local officials, 
                private organizations, and all military commanders to 
                honor employers of National Guard and Reserve members 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-17801
Filed 8-17-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P