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DETROIT (May 5, 2008) - Patriotism was in full gear at the
Chrysler headquarters today, as hundreds gathered inside the
star-spangled atrium of the automaker's main hub to honor America's
men and women in uniform.
On the tiered floors of the glass-enclosed plaza here, employees
hung over railings to watch while their chief executive kicked off
Military Appreciation Month by signing an agreement strengthening
Chrysler's ties to Reserve and National Guard troops, and
recognizing past and present servicemembers on the automaker's
roster.
"I just want to thank all the men and women who give of
themselves, who are apart from their families, who are enduring
tremendous hardship to maintain the freedom the democracy on which
this country was founded," said Robert Nardelli, Chrysler's
chairman and chief executive officer. "We are truly blessed."
As an expression of Chrysler's gratitude to servicemembers'
sacrifice, Nardelli today signed a 5-Star Military Support
Agreement. The document promises Chrysler's commitment to continue
supporting employees who are called into active military
service.
"A lot of times people ask, 'Gee Bob, isn't that an expense?'"
Nardelli said of the pledge. "But I think it's an investment.
People say, 'Well, isn't this a burden?' I say, 'It's a
responsibility.'
"So today," he continued, "it is really demonstrating that
personal commitment to our men and women in uniform."
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee
agreement signed today follows Chrysler's recent decision to
partner with America Supports You, a Defense Department program
that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and
their families serving at home and abroad.
"Today was above and beyond any corporate event I've seen to
honor our men and women in the military," said Allison Barber,
deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications
and public liaison, and the architect of America Supports You.
"Chrysler is a terrific America Supports You partner and a great
example to other corporations that tell the full story."
In an event that included remarks from Defense Department and
military officials, local radio personality Paul W. Smith, the
master of ceremonies, listed the names of more than 40 Chrysler
employees currently deployed to U.S. operations abroad.
With each name Smith read, a camo-clad servicemember on the
second story of the circular plaza draped a flag with a blue star
over the railing. A tradition since World War I, the blue flag is a
symbol displayed by family members in remembrance of their loved
ones serving in harm's way.
In a somber postscript to the presentation, the family of Army
Master Sgt. William Balinski accepted a flag embroidered with a
gold star.
After being employed at Chrysler for nine years as a sheet metal
worker, Balinski -- an Army reservist -- was called to active duty.
While stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2005, Balinski was
involved in an automobile accident that took his life.
"The Gold Star flag will always be a reminder of Master Sergeant
Balinski's service and patriotic support of this country," Nardelli
said, before announcing that Balinski's Gold Star flag and the Blue
Star flags would become permanent fixtures here.
Later, Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for
reserve affairs and signatory to the 5-star agreement, told the
audience that during his six-year tenure in his current position,
he has addressed more than 200,000 people at more than 300 events.
"And I have never seen a ceremony equal this," he said.
"Employer support is so important for [servicemembers] when they
come home," he said. "It's so important for their families. So I
thank Chrysler and all the supporting corporations."
Honoring its home-state servicemembers, Chrysler donated $50,000
today to members of Michigan's National Guard.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Cutler, adjutant general of the
Michigan National Guard, called Chrysler "a great corporate
citizen," and said the donation will allow the Guard's family fund
to continuing providing financial support to the loved ones of
those called up to active duty.
"Citizens across the country -- and here in Michigan certainly
-- appreciate the service of all their soldiers and sailors,
Marines, airmen and Coast Guard members," he said. "They do deeply
appreciate, and I think today was just a day to celebrate their
service."
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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