Posted on 09/11/2007 2:29:40 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2007 – Marine reservist Cpl. Blake Milam says his civilian employer, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., has gone the extra mile to make him feel good about his military service.
Last year, the Tulsa, Okla.-based rental car company gave a welcome-home party for Milam after he’d returned from an 8-month duty tour in Fallujah, Iraq, he said.
“They’ve been really supportive,” the 23-year-old automobile inventory technician said of his employer. “They’ve gone out of their way to help me out.”
Milam nominated his employer to receive the prestigious Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Dollar Thrifty is among 15 businesses and organizations selected to receive the annual award, which recognizes exemplary support for employees in the Guard or reserve.
Dollar Thrifty also provided Milam with two raises and a slice of company profits that he’d missed while he was serving in Iraq.
A radio operator in military life, Milam said his employer’s support enabled him to perform dangerous duty in Iraq without worrying about his job back home. Milam experienced the death of three of his fellow Marines and the severe wounding of three other comrades during heavy fighting against the enemy.
Milam credited Dollar Thrifty for helping him to transition back to civilian life after his return from Iraq in October 2006.
“Things are going really good, right now,” he said.
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recognizes U.S. employers that rise above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency, manages the award process.
ESGR assists Guard and Reserve members and their employers understand employee eligibility and job entitlements, employer obligations, benefits and remedies under the act.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group’s president and chief executive officer, Gary L. Paxton, is slated to accept the Freedom Award on behalf of his firm during a formal ceremony here Sept. 12.
I will remember this when I need to rent a car.
Great! Too bad more business owners don’t cherish the reservists.
Some free and well deserved advertising.
Me too!
Thank you for posting this. There aren’t enough stories highlight the GOOD employers. I’ll remember them the next time I need a rental!
I usually rent from Dollar so this is good to know. Now I won't even consider renting from anyone else.
You have some firms out there that skirt the laws and find ways to punish service members for serving their country. You have other firms out there that spend millions trying to prevent cows from burping (Ben and Jerry’s) since the methane allegedly fuels global warming. The city I live in, Plano Texas complains they don’t have enough money and can’t afford any real substantial tax breaks for the homes of disabled VETs, but they spend an extra $9,000 per car because they feel the need to buy a fleets of green Priuses. We live in crazy times. It’s good to hear that some still have their head screwed on right and put the emphasis where it matters!
This is, indeed, impressive. I can only respect this.
Dollar Thrifty, you have my next vehicle rental.
Jude24 is impressed ping.
I am proud of you Jude! I have been waiting a very long time to see you impressed with something:)
if that’s all the leftist dirtbags at Ben & Jerry’s gave money to they wouldn’t be half bad....
Yes it is.
We always rent from Dollar for our road trips. This is good to know and next time we rent, this story will be mentioned.
Thanks to you both, I will remember them for this.
I am a Blue Chip member of Thrifty and rent about 50 cars per year from them.
I selected them because they are conservatively managed.
PS: Dollar/Thrifty rents Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler LLC is owned by Cerberus Capital Management, a very conservative company with people like John Snow (former Treasury Secretary) and Dan Quayle (former VP) running their management committee.
Thanks for the info, Erik. Even more reason to rent from Dollar/Thrifty car rental companies!
Thanks, but each link only gives a bio.
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