Reservists' Rights: A stateside battle

Narrated Package Plus Additional
B-Roll and SOTS

 

  

The following footage is provided free of charge by the American Bar Association for use in news broadcasts at your editorial discretion.

 

  

SUGGESTED ANCHOR LEAD:

Today more than 55,000 reservists and members of the National Guard are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. For many, the battles aren't always over when their active duty ends. Some return home to fight on another front-for the jobs they left behind.

Lee Miller has more.

  

TITLES IN ORDER:

:16

Jeremiah Johnson
1:30

Robert J. Grey
President
American Bar Association
 

COUNTDOWN:
Ch. 1 - Narrator
Ch. 2 - BG & SOTS
Pkg. Runs 2:22

Plus Additional
B-Roll and SOTS
TRT:7:07

  
VIDEO
AUDIO

Pictures of Jeremiah in Iraq

Police car

Narrator:
Jeremiah Johnson, a specialist in the National Guard, was called to active duty to fight the war in Iraq.

Only days before he left for duty, Johnson was fired from his job as police officer - with no explanation.

Jeremiah Johnson

Johnson SOT:
I was shocked, we have laws there to protect soldiers so that it doesn't happen, and it did.

Photos of Jeremiah in Iraq

 

Narrator:
Johnson served as a gunner for 15 months. In the midst of combat, his mind was often in other places.

Jeremiah Johnson

Johnson SOT:
I used to think, If I make it home, what am I going to do then, how will I take care of my family?

Jeremiah and wife playing with daughter

 

 

Narrator:
During a convoy security mission, Johnson was injured and medivaced to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he spent 8 months in rehab before he could be re-united with his family. And after failing to get his job back, it was time to focus on yet another battle: unemployment.

Jeremiah Johnson

 

Johnson SOT:
You start counting a pay check and how long the insurance is going to last, how much you can put away in case it takes you longer to get a job, things like that.

Jeremiah in back yard with his daughter


Visuals of Web site and ABA report


 

 Narrator:
Johnson is not alone in his home front fight. Despite federal laws protecting their jobs, many reservists and National Guard personnel face barriers to re-entering the workplaces they left behind. The American Bar Association is calling for new legal protections and more vigorous advocacy for military personnel. A new report and online booklet are designed to mobilize action on their behalf and educate service members about their about their legal rights.

Robert Grey
President
American Bar Association

 Grey SOT:
The American Bar Association wants to be very clear that we will be here for them to provide support to make sure that the employment laws of this country are observed when they return.

Jeremiah walking in door with police uniform

Johnson's House

Narrator:
As he pursues legal action against his former employer, Johnson is moving on.
After six months he finally found another job as a police officer --- in a neighboring state three hours away. And while they wait for their house to sell, the Johnsons have plenty of time to reflect on the ordeal. (But) through it all, Johnson's devotion to his country hasn't wavered.

Jeremiah Johnson

 

Jeremiah:
I would do it all again in a heartbeat, even knowing that this could happen. If I new the outcome, I would still go back and do it again.

Jeremiah, wife and daughter playing outside

 Narrator:
This is Lee Miller
 

Anchor Tag:
The ABA report and online booklet on the legal rights of military personnel can be found at www.abanet.org.

 

ADDITIONAL B-ROLL

Johnson Family

Exterior of Johnson Residence

 
ADDITIONAL SOTS

TITLE: Jeremiah Johnson

 

Johnson SOT:
I was shocked, I was hurt, I kept trying to make sense of it, you know why would this happen, why did it happen? I couldn't, I'm still shocked to this day.


Johnson SOT:
Knowing that I would be coming home to not having a job, that was really stressful, if that came up, say we were on a mission and for some reason I started thinking about home, cause you always do, you know, when I get home, I don't have a job, and then you're not focusing on what you have to do at hand. And that distraction is one I really didn't need over there.

TITLE: Robert J. Grey
ABA President

 Grey SOT:
Our men and women in the military are providing the highest form of service to their county by putting their lives on the line for us, so that we may enjoy freedom and liberty and the American Bar Association wants to be very clear that we will be here for them to provide support to make sure that the employment laws of this country are observed when they return.
  Grey SOT:
We want to make sure that the aggravation, that the stress associated with determining these rights are reduced or eliminated, both for employers and employees and so there many be a smooth transition from active military service back to civilian life.
For more information contact:
Julie Brown
312.988.6133
brownjd@staff.abanet.org
  
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