Grand Island Police Department -

Grand Island, Neb. — More than 50 city leaders and business owners from across Grand Island and Hall County will take part in a National Guard “Boss Lift” event on Tuesday, April 22 at 11 a.m. at the Nebraska Air National Guard.

The event will feature 30-minute flights aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, offering participants a firsthand look at the capabilities and mission of the Nebraska National Guard. Among those participating is Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele, who will join other community leaders in the experience.

“Boss Lift” events, coordinated through Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), are designed to strengthen relationships between civilian employers and the military. The experience provides employers and community leaders with a better understanding of the role Guard members serve and the importance of workplace support during deployments and training.

Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with service members and learn more about how the Nebraska National Guard supports communities at the local, state and national levels. Also during the event, Grand Island Police Department Sergeant Jason Wood will be recognized with the Employer Patriot Award from ESGR. The award, presented on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense, recognizes supervisors and employers who demonstrate outstanding support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between service members and their civilian employers, while also educating employers on their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). For more information, please contact ESGR Central Nebraska Area Committee Leader Doug Brown at (308) 390-5372.