(Photo by Paula Buenger) Dennis Spooner, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply, signs a statement of Support certificate, one of 53 he signed on Tuesday, Tom Manley and Steve Waller, of the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, look on. [Order this photo]

Continuing to stand by the citizen soldiers who work with them and protect them, Arnold Motor Supply Company on Tuesday signed 53 Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve certificates.

This number represents every one of the company's locations and its Spencer headquarters.

Tom Manley Area 3 Chair of the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, an agency of the Department of Defense, along with ESGR volunteer Steve Waller, were on hand as Dennis Spooner, managing partner for the company, made the commitment to its employees.

This action comes on the heels of the company being honored with the Patriot Award , recognizing its support of Guard and Reserve staff.

The company was nominated for that award by an employee who , as a member of the National Guard, was deployed to Iraq for 16 months.

Arnold Motor Supply prides itself in treating its employees like family, so when Andy Bergstrom's National Guard Unit was called up for active duty in Iraq, his team members at the local Arnold Motor Supply store did what a family does. They supported him, sent him e-mails and care packages and made sure that his place was held for him until he returned safely.

"We really didn't think we were doing anything out of the ordinary," Spooner said. "We were supporting one of our own, and that's what we do here."

The Patriot Award recognizes employers "when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve."

Arnold Motor Supply store manager Dean Salmons noted, "it's nice to be recognized, but we just did what we thought was right, supported one of our own while he defended our county."

In signing the statements of support, the company pledges that:

*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 will continually recognize and support our country's service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

"Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Iowa employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA)," said Manley. "Many Iowa employers provide 'Above and Beyond' support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees are mobilized."

When asked about the criteria, Manley said "By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Arnold Motor Company will stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation's call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation".