Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Donates $50,000 to 75th Commemoration of Pearl Harbor

The 75^th Commemoration events will take place Dec. 1-11, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The annual commemoration, themed "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future," honors the sacrifices made by military personnel and civilians, while fostering reflection, remembrance and understanding. The 11-day program includes a variety of ceremonies, including memorials dedicated to the USS Utah and the USS Oklahoma.

"On behalf of the 75^th Commemoration Committee, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation for this very generous donation," said Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, Retired U.S. Navy and 75^th Commemoration Committee Chair. "This donation will help us provide an opportunity for the remaining Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans to come together and experience firsthand the appreciation of the American people for their sacrifices."

Other 75^th Commemoration events feature the "Blackened Canteen" reconciliation ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial; a luncheon honoring the units of Americans of Japanese ancestry; a Pearl Harbor documentary film premiere; a Pearl Harbor Survivor Gala Tribute; and a live concert featuring Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

"My grandfather and our founder, Jack Taylor, named our company Enterprise as a salute to one of the World War II aircraft carriers on which he served – the USS Enterprise," said Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Carolyn Kindle Betz. "So our support for this Pearl Harbor anniversary has special meaning for the entire Enterprise family, particularly since Jack died earlier this year. We are always proud to honor those who have served."

Military Heritage and Support

Enterprise has been widely recognized for its ongoing support of veterans and reservists, including designations as a Military Friendly Employer from the publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine for the past four years, Top Veteran-Friendly Company by U.S. Veterans Magazine, Best for Vets: Employers by the Military Times publishing organization and Most Valuable Employer for Military by CivilianJobs.com.

Today, military veterans and members of the guard and reserves comprise nearly 13 percent of the company's total U.S. workforce. In fact, Enterprise is one of more than 230 companies associated with the Veterans Jobs Mission, which brings together companies committed to hiring U.S. military veterans and military spouses. Since joining the coalition in 2012, Enterprise has added nearly 8,000 military veterans to its staff.

In addition, just last month Enterprise was inducted into the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). This Department of Defense program connects military spouses with partner employers committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses. Earlier this year, Enterprise also was recognized as the No. 7 Military Friendly Spouse Employer from the publishers of G.I. Jobs magazine. Enterprise employs more than 1,100 military spouses.

In 2005, Enterprise received Five-Star recognition in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support Program, and was recognized with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award – the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers that support their employees' service in the National Guard and Reserve.

In 2012, Enterprise was honored for the second time as a Freedom Award Nominee by the ESGR, and was one of only two Missouri companies to receive the first Extraordinary Employer Support Award from the ESGR for sustained support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. In fact, Enterprise pays the salary differential for employees on active duty, so they continue to receive full pay during their service.

Last year, the Enterprise Foundation committed $3 million to the Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House is a nonprofit organization that operates more than 60 locations across the country to provide free lodging and airfare for family members of wounded service members while they receive medical care.

For more information about careers at Enterprise, visit go.enterpriseholdings.com. The website also provides more information about the company's military heritage and ongoing support of veterans. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161130/444222

SOURCE Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation