Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI

July 20, 2011, Page 2

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Polenz and others participate in ESGR Bosslift

Neillsville Memorial Medical Center (MMC) CEO Scott Polenz and two other area residents are spending three days in Virginia participating in the Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift in Norfolk, VA, which began Monday, July 18; the participants will return Wednesday, July 20.

(Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

Neillsville Memorial Medical Center (MMC) CEO Scott Polenz and two other area residents are spending three days learning more about the military during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift trip to Norfolk, VA, which began Monday, July 18, and will conclude Wednesday, July 20.

Polenz, Highground Board of Directors member Ned Carlson of Neillsville and Medford’s Allen Williams, who owns several Hardee’s locations – including the Neillsville Hardee’s – made the trip.

Those attending are staying at a U. S. Navy lodge at the Norfolk Virginia naval Base and spend time traveling on aircrafts and touring the based, which is home to the U. S. Navy’s Second Fleet and is the world’s largest Naval Base.

The ESGR honored Polenz and MMC with an ESGR Patriot Award in September 2010 for supporting MMC Dr. Dave Fields, who returned to MMC after serving a one-year deployment to Afghanistan with the U. S. Army Reserve.

Fields, who is now a Wisconsin National Guard member with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) 1-120^th Field Artillery Battalion out of Wisconsin Rapids, continues to train monthly.

While Fields was away, fellow military veteran Rod Hickman traveled from Montana to Neillsville to take Fields’ place at MMC.  When Fields returned, he took over for Hickman.

Polenz praised Fields for his commitment to this country, adding “I really respect him for what he does….”

After ESGR recognized Polenz, Wisconsin ESGR Area Representative Lee Kurasz began asking Polenz to consider participating in the Bosslift.

When Kurasz initially told Polenz about the Bosslift, Polenz responded, “I can’t believe it,” according to Kurasz, who explained Polenz was excited about the opportunity.

“We know [Polenz is] a good employer,” said Kurasz.

Polenz then learned he would participate in the Bosslift. The ESGR flew Polenz from Wisconsin to Virginia Monday, July 18.  During the trip, Polenz hopes to “learn about military life” and the equipment they use and gain even more respect for military personnel.

Carlson, who is a social worker at the Jackson Correctional Institution (JCI), also looked forward to the trip.

“I’m excited about all of it,” Carlson said Thursday, July 14, before the trip, which he added will have some “pretty exciting things to see.”

As a Highground Board of Directors member, Carlson attended a Highground Department of Corrections (DOC) Veterans Week Observance in November 2010 to honor military veterans and veterans who are employed by the DOC.

After that ceremony, a JCI warden approached Carlson about participating in the ESGR Bosslift. 

According to ESGR information sent to Polenz, “This is our way of rewarding or thanking those outstanding patriotic Wisconsin employers that really go the extra mile in supporting those National Guard and Reserve members that work for you. Thank your for all that you do for our service members and their families.”

Polenz, Carlson and others traveled to Virginia aboard KC-135 Stratotankers, which are part of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 128^th Air Refueling Wing; Polenz viewed the aircraft being refueled in mid-air.

The 128^th Air Refueling Wing includes 900 military members and has nine KC-135 aircraft assigned to the wing.

The wing’s federal mission is to “maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during times of war. During peacetime, the 128^th Air Refueling Wing is assigned to the Air Mobility Command to carry out such missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness and contingency operations.” 

The KC-135R four-jet engine tanker is the military version of the Boeing 707 and can carry 31,275 gallons of fuel and off load 6,500 pound (1,000 gallons) of fuel per minute.  The aircraft can carry 83,000 pounds of cargo or 54 passengers and carries a crew of three, including pilot, co-pilot and boom operator.  The KC-135R has a takeoff weight of 322,500 pounds and a top speed of 530 miles per hour.

The three day trip was a busy one – in addition to travel to and from Virginia during two of the three days, Polenz and others participated in a full schedule Tuesday, beginning at 7 a.m. and concluding at 9 p.m 

Polenz viewed the USS Wisconsin Battleship, which was Tuesday’s highlight; Polenz will travel back to Wisconsin Wednesday.

Upon Polenz’ return, Kurasz hopes he will tell other Neillsville employers about the ESGR Bosslift experience, share what he learned and encourage those employers to support military personnel 

Fields stated the Bosslift trip will not only reward Polenz but also give him a better understanding of the military.  Polenz may meet high-ranking military officials, Fields added.

Polenz has “always been very supportive,” said Fields. “Scott definitely deserves this.”

After talking with other military personnel, Fields discovered, “A lot of employers aren’t [supportive of military members].”

Polenz responded to every e-mail Fields sent during his deployment, which fields said, “meant a lot to me.”

Polenz made the three day commitment despite his busy schedule at MMC but stated he made the trip “to support Dave [Fields]” and other service members.