Commemorating Veterans Day

Dear Colleagues,

I recently received a letter from Lieutenant Colonel J.E. Izenour of the U.S. Marine Corps thanking Guardian. To say I was touched is an understatement. It’s humbling to have someone in the Marine Corps, who stand on the front lines protecting and defending our country and each of us, reach out to you –– and thank you.

The story he shared was even more moving, and I’d like to share it with each of you as we observe Veterans Day this weekend.

On July 10, 2017, a squadron in Leflore County, Mississippi, under the colonel’s command tragically lost 16 crew members in the worst aviation accident in Marine Corps history since 2005. The wife of our colleague Tom Pastorello, Master Sergeant Sara Pastorello, Superintendent of Public Affairs for the New York Air National Guard, was called in to assist the squadron. Sara worked around the clock to keep both squadron personnel and family members informed while responding to media inquiries and preparing memorial tributes to bring the Marines home.

Lt. Col. Izenour thanked Guardian for the flexibility we extended to Tom, so that Sara could be on site to support those affected by this tragedy. Here’s an excerpt of the letter:

“The reality is there are over 1.1 million members of the National Guard and Reserve sharing their civilian lives with military service. Guardsmen and Reservists have a long list of people to thank for standing by us and making our service possible. Thankfully, our nation’s civilian employers meet the expectations and find opportunities to go above and beyond in their support, like those at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. You demonstrate what it takes for America to have the best military in the world.”

I would like to thank every veteran who works at Guardian, as well as every spouse and family member, for all that you do. You make our organization proud, and we honor each of you, your peers and family members who have served in defense of our country.

 Deanna