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Form Letter Sent to Local Soldier's Wife

Posted by Cyber Pastor on Friday, June 22, 2007 8:48:30 PM
This is another local troop that hits especially close to home for our church. This soldier is on our church prayer list, as one of our families is related to him. His 8 yr-old nephew is very close to David, and I've hugged the nephew several times as he shed tears worried about "my uncle in Iraq".


Soldier’s family gets job-termination letter


By Kirk Johannesen

johannesen@therepublic.com

GREENSBURG — David Veerkamp has worked at the Delta Faucet plant here for 15 years, but on Saturday a letter arrived at home stating that his employment would be terminated. For the last year, Veerkamp has been in Iraq with the Indiana National Guard. 

   Veerkamp’s wife, Misty, read the letter and became upset that the company would terminate him while he is serving the country. 

   However, the help of the Army National Guard’s Family Readiness Group and Indiana’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve led to a resolution, and David Veerkamp’s keeping his job. 

   Misty Veerkamp and the couple’s three girls are staying with her in-laws, Jerry and Sue Veerkamp of Greensburg, while David Veerkamp, 34, is away. His wife read the letter after sorting the day’s mail. 

   The letter, dated June 13 and written by Jim Funcheon, resources manager for Greensburg operations, stated: 

   “Your employment with Delta Faucet is being terminated for the inability to return to work after 1 year on being on a leave of absence.” 

   The letter quoted the company handbook for further explanation, and said David Veerkamp’s leave of absence began June 13, 2006. 

   “At first I cried and then I got angry. I wrote a letter so people would know what happened. I sent it to family and friends,” Misty Veerkamp said. 

   She contacted the FRG, which in turn contacted the ESGR, which handled the situation. 

   Veerkamp said Roger Peterman, chairman of the ESGR in Indiana, assured her that her husband wouldn’t lose his job because it’s illegal for employers to terminate employees who are serving on active duty. 

   She learned Tuesday that his job was secure, and the problem had been resolved. 

   She said he was immediately made aware of the letter and at first was confused, thinking the National Guard had fired him. When he learned the letter was from Delta Faucet he assured her he couldn’t be fired. 

   Renee Backmeyer, vice president of human resources for Delta Faucet, issued a statement apologizing “for the misunderstanding of our intent and our policy.” 

   She said it is Delta’s policy to welcome employees back after serving in the military, and the company wishes for David Veerkamp’s safe return. 

   “We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding generated by a poorly written letter. We did not mean to cause any additional anxiety for the family of those serving in the military,” Backmeyer’s statement said. 

   Misty Veerkamp said she received calls from employees at Delta Faucet in support of her husband.
   She’s satisfied with Backmeyer’s statement, but not with Funcheon. 

   “Maybe a little explanation,” she said. “I’m tired of hearing it was a simple form letter.”
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