Postal employee wears finance hat while deployed to Southwest Asia

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Gabrieldemetrio Aure from Duarte, Calif. helps soldiers with pay issues while deployed to Kuwait with the Army's 376th Finance Battalion. He works with the U.S. Postal Service in his civilian career.  

KUWAIT

05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

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Story and Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary, ESGR Forward Team

KUWAIT - Army Reserve Sgt. Gabrieldemetrio Aure of the 326th Finance Group out of Long Beach, Calif. is currently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Although Aure had to ask family, church friends, and co-workers to assist in transporting his wife, Sunny, who is legally blind, to work, necessary appointments, and church while he is deployed, he said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom makes up for any hardships that he may encounter. "I have enjoyed being able to serve my country and work with people from so many diverse backgrounds," he quietly affirmed.

Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. Central Command is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests and assets in 27 nations stretching from the Horn of Africa, through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia.

In Kuwait, Aure serves as a military pay noncommissioned officer helping soldiers with pay problems. The Sergeant has served in the military for 15 years; this is his first deployment outside the United States.

In his civilian occupation, Aure has been a letter carrier for U.S. Postal Service for eight years. Aure is grateful for an employer who supports his commitment to his country. "They told me they were holding my job for my return," he softly affirmed. "I receive emails every day from my friends and supervisors." With a big smile, he stated 'they even threw a big going-away party before I left."

Today, more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Aure and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

According to Aure, this mobilization experience gives him a greater appreciation of his job, friends and family at home and the NCO skills and training will enable him to be a better postal worker.

Aure, who calls Duarte, Calif., his home, has been married to Sunny for 22 years and is the son of Gabriel Aure, Jr. and Amelita Aure from West Covina, Calif.

ESGR, USAR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 09:29
• Story ID: 6492
• Location: KW