President's Perspective Current Column Columns From 2008 Columns From 2007 Columns From 2006 Columns From 2005 Columns From 2004 Columns From 2003 Columns From 2002 Columns From 2001 About AWB Overview Mission and Vision Directions to AWB Awards AWB Staff Staff Biographies Committees & Councils Membership Overview Helping Members Return on Investment Future Earnings WISHA Offer Products & Services Overview Health Benefits Workers' Comp Refunds Media Services Seminars AWB Freight Certificate Programs AWB Online Store Governmental Affairs Legislative Action Center Policy Principles Legislative Objecives AWB Events Calendar Links and Resources Members Login  Last Name:  Office: - Select Office - State Senate State House U.S. Senate U.S. House Statewide Offices  District: Find Your District   - Select District - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49   Home  /  Presidents Perspective - 2003  /  The Challenge for Most Washington National Guard Members Comes After the Holidays The Challenge for Most Washington National Guard Members Comes After the Holidays Written On: November 26, 2003 Hopefully, most members of the Washington Army National Guard will be able to spend the holidays with their families. But by February or March, the majority of them will be in Iraq, alongside thousands of Washington reservists and active duty military already there. That’s when the challenging times begin for them and for those they left behind. We are at war – our co-workers, family members, and friends are in harm’s way. They need our support back home to help their loved ones cope with the situation. Remember, many of these troops will be out of the country for a year to 18 months. So what can we do to help? First, recognize that we have a role in helping soldiers and their families. Don’t just leave it up to the military to organize support groups. Second, keep in touch with the soldiers and their families. If they need help with baby-sitters, transportation, or just need someone to talk to, make the time and effort. Third, employers need to help with the transition from civilian to military life and then back again. There are issues of leave, insurance, and pay that need to be handled seamlessly. Keep them posted on what is happening at work so they feel part of the workplace rather than estranged from it. Fourth, ensure that soldiers don’t have to worry about whether or not they will have a job when they get back home. Even though federal law protects civilian jobs for reservists, reassure them they are welcome and needed when they return. Finally, remember that these deployments will be long and hard for the troops and their families. Don’t let “out of sight” be “out of mind” especially as we get deeper into 2004 and perhaps into 2005. So, as we prepare for the holidays, remember this year is very different. Whether one agrees with the operation in Iraq or not, the fact is, thousands of Washington’s citizen soldiers are on duty a long way from home, trying to root out terrorism and give Iraqis a chance to have the same freedoms we enjoy. We need to do our part back home to support them.

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