'Taking care of their own' not just a motto for some
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ricky Graham spent New Year's at his family's home in Pearl City, popping firecrackers and eating traditional mochi-cake soup.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
This is how he wanted to start 2005 because most of the rest of the year he'll spend somewhere in the Middle East.
Air National Guardsman Ricky Graham's co-workers at AIG Hawai'i pushed the company to pay Graham's salary and benefits during the entire year he serves in the Middle East.
Graham leaves on Wednesday, deployed with other mobilized reservists in the 48th Aerial Port Squadron stationed at Hickam Air Force Base.
But unlike many of the other reservists — who are teachers, police officers, firefighters and college students — Graham won't have to worry about his salary or benefits.
His employer, AIG Hawai'i, will be paying his full salary and benefits for the entire year he'll be deployed.
"I'm so fortunate," said Graham, 35, who works as a computer technician for the information technology department's help desk. "Honestly, I always thought it was survival instinct at private companies. If they don't need you, you're gone. But AIG Hawai'i is a little different. It's like a family company. I'm lucky in that regard."
The federal Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act ensures that Guard and Reserve troops get equivalent jobs when they return to work, as well as seniority and promotion opportunities.
But AIG Hawai'i went a step beyond that, Graham said: "I've never heard of (a company doing) this before. I've talked to other reservists and they've never heard of this either."
Robin Campaniano, president and chief executive office of AIG Hawai'i, said the company made the decision to pay Graham's full salary and benefits because his co-workers pushed for it. This is the first time an AIG Hawai'i employee has been sent to war.
"There was such an outpouring of support from within the company," Campaniano said. "People said, 'He's a good guy, we need to show our support. Let's take whatever worries we can off his shoulders so he can do his job.' He's certainly a valued employee."
Dozens of companies in Hawai'i — from Aloha Airlines to Hawaiian Electric Co. — have been affected by the deployment of thousands of members of the National Guard and Reserve who work and live in the Islands.
The Home Depot in Hawai'i had six associates called to active duty last year, each of them receiving supplemental pay for up to one year, leave for up to five years and medical benefits for the first year with extended COBRA benefits thereafter.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
"Since we have so many military personnel in Hawai'i we need to support them, especially for what they're doing for our country," said Kari Wallace, district manager for The Home Depot. "That's huge knowing that their family back home or back here (at work) are supporting them."
Colleen Hironaka gives fellow AIG Hawai'i employee Rick Graham a farewell hug. Graham, an Air National Guard member, is about to leave for a year's service in the Middle East.
Last year The Home Depot contributed $1 million worth of construction materials, tools and supplies to assist with the rebuilding efforts in Iraq. The retailer was ranked No. 4 in the nation in 2003 by GI Jobs magazine on its list of "Top 10 Military Friendly Employers."
"It's definitely a responsibility for us," said Wallace, who added that the retailer just sent $500,000 for tsunami relief efforts. "Something like this is just second nature to Home Depot."
The financial support has been overwhelming to Graham. But so has the emotional support he has been getting from his co-workers.
He has received dozens of phone calls and e-mails from people in the company. And about 100 of them showed up on Thursday to honor Graham, who also earned the Guardian Angel of the Year award for his service to the company. In addition to lei and a gift basket, Graham also got a stack of phone cards totalling 750 minutes.
"We jokingly gave him that," Campaniano said. "People wanted to keep calling him to fix their computers. I think he thought we were serious."
The shock of getting called up has now turned to excitement for Graham, who has been a reservist for 15 years. This is what he has trained for, he said, and he's ready.
"You're realizing everything is coming together," he said. "Everybody's ready to go. And now it's finally show time."
Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
