The Milwaukee Post

June 28, 2013 • Milwaukee Post • 15 Employers team up in race to hire guardsmen By 1ST LT. JOE TROVATO For The Post MILWAUKEE – As Indy cars zipped around the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis earlier this month, the Wisconsin National Guard hoped to gain some traction in finding work for its soldiers and airmen. Panther Racing, which owns the No. 4 National Guard car in the Izod Indy Car series, joined forces with the National Guard to urge employers to hire guardsmen during Indy Fest at the historic Milwaukee oval. The partnership between Panther Racing and the National Guard began in 2008. Since then, team owner John Barnes has been on a crusade to get Guardsmen nationwide hired. "It's really humbled us," he said of the partnership between Panther Racing and the Guard. "It's made quite a difference in my life and my team's lives. "They understand that the freedom that we have is because of their sacrifice," he added. Last year, Panther Racing reached out to more than 1,200 employers, who ultimately pledged more than 9,000 jobs for the nation's Reserve and Guard forces. In 2013, Barnes' goal is to reach 2,500 employers and net 15,000 jobs. Criminal complaint will be used for child sexual assault case WAUKESHA – A Messmer High School teacher and Waukesha resident is still facing two child sexual assault charges in Milwaukee County Circuit Court after a judge denied a defense motion to dismiss the criminal complaint. Megan Garland, 28, was in court with her attorney Alexander Flynn on Monday when the court denied the motion and scheduled her preliminary hearing at 8:15 a.m. July 8. Garland allegedly sexually assaulted two boys, a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old who is now 15. According to the complaint, one of the boys told police she was giving him rides to school and during one ride she touched him inappropriately . Garland treated the other boy as if he was her boyfriend, according to the complaint. Investigation continues in couple's apparent murder-suicide OCONOMOWOC – An investigation by the Chicago Police Department of a 46year-old Oconomowoc woman and a 56year-old Milwaukee man who were found dead in a Chicago hotel Friday is ongoing. Anthony Brucci of the Cook County He plans to do it at events like those his team hosted at the Milwaukee Mile. Before the end of the racing season, Barnes and his team will host 14 at-track events in conjunction with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, during which they invite local employers to the race and present a program that highlights the service and sacrifice of the military as well as the benefits of hiring members of the National Guard. Panther Racing partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program. The stakes are high, as more than 13 percent of National Guard veterans are unemployed, Barnes told Milwaukee-area employers. For Guardsmen between the ages of 18 and 30, unemployment has climbed to as high as 30 percent. "We have a problem with unemployment," acknowledged Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wisconsin. "And with the help of partners like John Barnes and ESGR, we are taking positive steps." "I do not come here hat in hand asking for charity Dunbar told the assembled ," group of employers before the race. "I don't want any employer to hire someone because they think they need to give a handout to a soldier or airmen in the Wisconsin National Guard. I believe you Medical Examiner's office said the cause of death for James Wright, of Milwaukee, was a gunshot to the face, while the cause of death for Kim Wright, of Oconomowoc, was a gunshot to the head in what was determined to be suicide. Chicago Police Department officer Jose Estrada said the bodies were found at 4:20 p.m. Friday in a hotel on the 300 block of East Water Street. He said two handguns were found next to the bodies. Estrada said the victims were pronounced dead on the scene. DWD provides assistance after mass layoffs MADISON –The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Dislocated Worker Program provides assistance to workers, companies, and communities affected by mass layoffs or business closings. Under state law, employers employing 50 or more individuals in the state may be required to give 60 days' notice before a mass layoff or closing. Once the state becomes aware of any event affecting 50 or more workers, the Dislocated Worker Program's Rapid Response Team reaches out and offers assistance to the affected workers and employer. The DWD will also look at each disloca- should hire them because it is good for your bottom line." Dunbar said the men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard are physically fit, know how to lead, know how to follow, and know about teamwork. They also know how to commit to something bigger than themselves, he said. The adjutant general joined Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, the assistant adjutant general for the Army who offered a similar , message. Anderson invoked his memories of watching young sergeants and staff sergeants in their mid-20s responsible for the lives of dozens of soldiers escorting millions of dollars of equipment through the deserts of Iraq on convoy security missions. "So you can imagine when they came back from deployment, the absolute confidence and the absolute competence that they had in regards to their capabilities, not only as soldiers, but as leaders with the ability to turn on a dime and resolve an issue," Anderson said. "These are the men, and these are the women that we have in the Wisconsin National Guard." One such soldier was honored at the event as the "Home Town Hero." Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mannel, of New Richmond, who was earlier named the National Guard's Recruiter of the Year, earned the distinction and was recognized in front of the crowd before the race's green flag. "To be a part of Panther Racing and the National Guard and having their support, it's really tremendous to see that employers and people that are part of racing can just show that much gratitude and support to the nation's military Mannel said after ," receiving the honor. "It makes me feel really proud that I'm a part of the military ." The employers and guardsmen participating in the event had an opportunity to meet Ryan Briscoe, who drove the National Guard car in the Indy Fest race, and take their turn as passengers while a professional driver raced the pace car around the track. But the primary objective of the day was business – mainly the business of hiring veterans and members of the National Guard. "If every company in America just hired one or two or three, it would take care of itself," Barnes said. "It's our responsibility . We have lived this life of grace by having them serve for us and take care of our problems to give us our freedom." "Make a difference," he added. "It is your obligation as Americans to do that. Hiring a soldier will make you and your company better." AREA the Gardens." The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 14 at the Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive. According to a news release, flower fairies will emerge to visit with families on a garden walk. A singing fairy and playful fairies will interact with the children, it added. The program is designed for children age 2 and up. Make-and-take crafts will include a fairy terrarium in a recycled plastic bottle. Children will plant wildflower seeds in their terrariums and will use little stones to create environments for fairies. Other crafts will have bug themes. Lemonade and light refreshments will be available during the event. The program fee is $3 per child for nonmembers and free for members of Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens. For more information, contact the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens at 414-525-5661. BRIEFS tion to determine if the workers have lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade or competition. If that is the case, workers may be eligible for additional assistance for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance. Services available under TAA include training, income support while in training, job search allowances and relocation allowances. Wisconsin spends nearly $40 million annually serving approximately 20,000 dislocated workers in various programs. Wisconsin consistently ranks highly among states in receipt of discretionary federal funding for dislocated workers. For more information, visit dwd.wisconsin.gov. Enchanted evening set at Boerner Botanical Gardens MILWAUKEE – Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens invites families with young children to visit with the Flower Fairies during "An Enchanted Evening in Cudahy Historical Society sets open house Saturday CUDAHY – The Cudahy Historical Society will hold an open house at the train station from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday . The station is located at 4647 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. It is free and open to the public.

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