decorahnews.com in Afghanistan: Employers are holding jobs for returning 322nd EN soldiers

Soldiers from the 322nd EN at FOB Walton in Afghanistan

When soldiers from the 322nd Engineering Battalion come back to the United States, they will return not just to their families, but also to their employers.  Those employers have assured the soldiers they will have jobs when they return.

Sumner resident Justin Smith says he will return to his job as a department manager at Schimmel's Foods--but probably will take a month off first before going back to work.  Waucoma resident Mike Hoey says the John Deere plant in Waterloo "is really good" abut holding jobs open for Army Reserve soldiers who go on deployment.

Calmar Oil Company will take back two soldiers--both Brian Losen and Andrew Hageman.  The business is a subsidiary of the Farmers Union Co-op in Calmar.

Waukon resident Edwin Frick praises the attitude at another co-op--the Postville Co-op.  Frick says the business "has done a lot" to help support soldiers.  In fact, the co-op has been recognized with an Employer Support of the Guard Award.  Frick says co-op officials have told him he could "come back when I want to."

Decorah resident Jeff Ryant is an employee of Sturgis Falls Broadcasting.  He says his employer is not only holding his job open, but had Ryant record some messages when he was home on leave.