TULSA, Okla. -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (DTG) on Thursday signed a statement of support for the National Guard and Reserve in a ceremony at the company's headquarters.

Volunteer representatives from the Oklahoma Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Defense Department, joined DTG President and CEO Gary L. Paxton in signing the document.

Col. Gary W. Jackson (Ret.), the executive director for the ESGR Committee in Oklahoma, praised DTG's support for the employees in active duty. "Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group is one of those companies who go above and beyond what the law says companies must do to protect the jobs of returning Guard and Reserve members from active duty by supplementing the military pay, should it be less than their pay with the company," Jackson said.

DTG also offers to continue or cancel any coverage in employee benefit plans.

"It is an honor to be a part of the ceremony when a major Oklahoma employer, such as Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, publicly shows its support for its employees who are citizen soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines."

DTG has a number of employees now on active duty. Also, some employees have returned to their civilian jobs after being activated.

"Certainly, businesses encounter inconveniences when citizen soldiers are fulfilling their training and service requirements," Paxton said. "Those disruptions, though, are minor when considering the extraordinary sacrifice and commitment of these employees to protect America. We are committed to doing everything we can to protect them."