Free Republic

For tens of thousands of members of the National Guard and reserves who are called up to serve in Iraq, returning home safely may be the beginning -- not the end -- of their worst nightmare. Reservists lucky enough to make it home often find their civilian jobs gone and face unsympathetic employers and a government that has restricted access to civilian job-loss reports rather than prosecuting offending employers.

Memo Improves Job Protection for Guardsmen, Reservists American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2004 -- Attorney General John Ashcroft and Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao have signed a memorandum of understanding (to ensure that the employment rights of men and women returning from military service are vigorously protected. The memorandum streamlines and strengthens enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, commonly known as USERRA. Congress passed USERRA to safeguard the employment rights and benefits of service members upon their return to civilian life. "The brave men and women protected by USERRA voluntarily set...

<p>Editor's note: WorldNetDaily is pleased to have a content-sharing agreement with Insight magazine, the bold Washington publication not afraid to ruffle establishment feathers. Subscribe to Insight at WorldNetDaily's online store and save 71 percent off the cover price.</p> <p>When U.S. Army Maj. Joe Cherry left his federal job at the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago because he was called up to fight the war in Iraq he received an unexpected going-away present. The major wouldn't have to worry whether his government job would be there when he returned - the federal government made that decision for him, firing him on the spot.</p>