Civic leaders take to the sky, ground with the Kentucky National Guard

[caption id="attachment_2409" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="A group of local civic leaders stand in front a C-130 at Ft. Knox, Ky., during the 2010 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift, Aug. 13. The ESGR event is held to allow employers the opportunity to see how the Guard and Reserves train."] FORT KNOX, Ky. (August 19, 2010)-- A group of the Commonwealth’s civic leaders were treated to a day of excitement at Ft. Knox, Ky., as part of the 2010 Boss Lift sponsored by Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve on August 13.  Service members from the Army, Army and Air National Guard and Marine Corps Reserve gave the civic leaders a taste of what their employees do during a drill weekend or Annual Training. The day began with a flight on a Air Force C-130 from the Air Guard Base in Louisville to Ft. Knox.  The civic leaders then boarded a UH-60 Blackhawk for orientations flights over the area.  They landed at the Advanced Drivers Course to meet members of the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, where they were driven around post on  M1-A1 Abrams tanks.    [caption id="attachment_2410" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dawn Cain and Tracy Henry give a high five in prepartion for their ride on a M1-A1 Abrams tank during the 2010 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift at Ft. Knox, Ky, August 13. The ESGR event is held so the Guard and Reserves can share what it is like to be a service member to their employers."]  “Everyone had an amazing ride,” said Tracy Henry with UPS’s Global Ops Center.  “It has proven to them that the military is more high caliber than some expected.” Civic leaders also enjoyed a stop at the Patton Museum and a presentation from Ft. Knox Commander, Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakly.  Freakly shared information of Ft. Knox and reminded them that the Soldier, Airman, Marine and Sailor is able to do what they have to do because their employers stand behind them. Everyone was impressed with the interaction of civilian and service member and how important that relationship can be. [caption id="attachment_2411" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A group of local civic leaders prepare to board a UH-60 Blackhawk at the Air National Guard Base in Louisville, KY, during the 2010 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift, August 13. The ESGR event is held to allow employers the opportunity to see how the Guard and Reserves train."] Air National Guard Master. Sgt. Eric Hagen commented, “This gives civilian employers and the military a chance to interact, to understand where each is coming from.  Anytime you get that kind of communication it is great for both sides.” Units involved in the boss lift look forward to supporting the event year after year.  A mutual appreciation is shared among all that are involved.  According to the ESGR, the goal of the organization is to support America’s employers who share their employees with the nation to ensure national security. Ms. Henry added, “I wish more people could do this. I wish more would open their eyes to some of the things we have from the sacrifices of our military.”