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On Veterans Day 2015, Precision Plus Thanks the Team Members Who Served Our Country

Michael Reader

Precision Plus  of Elkhorn, WI is proud to employ veterans and support veteran organizations. On November 11, 2015, Veterans Day, we thank the following team members for their unconditional service to our country:

Michael Brown, Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 5 years of service
1-year team member

Angel Cabrera, Private First Class – Artillery
United States Army, 3 years of service
2-year team member

John Espinoza, Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 2 years of service
12-year team member

Neil Fleischhacker, E8 Staff Sergeant
United States Army, 12 years of service
2-year team member

David Lee, Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 4 years of service
4-year team member

Adam Rosseland, Private First Class
United States Army, 3 years of service
11-year team member

Kevin Wilson, E4 Third Class Petty Officer
Specialized in nuclear cooling systems aboard the USS Fulton Submarine
United States Navy, 4 years of service
1-year team member

Veterans Day (originally called Armistice Day) has been observed for nearly a century. On November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m., a temporary truce was called to cease the fighting at World War I. Seven months later, the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Wilson also declared November 11, 1919 as the first date to commemorate the ceasefire. Armistice Day did not become a legal national holiday until 1938. However, it was not until 1954, that the 83rd U.S. Congress approved to change the word “Armistice” to the word “Veterans,” and recognized this day to honor all Americans who served to protect our country.

On Veterans Day 2015, we extend our gratitude to our team members, and honor and celebrate them as well as all American veterans “for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

John Espinoza, a Model Precision Plus Employee and a Testament to Second Chances

Michael Reader

When things feel as they might be falling apart, they may just be falling into place. Second chances are given out all the time…but they only work when someone takes them.

John Espinoza works as a finishing technician for Precision Plus His shift starts at 11:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 a.m., just in time to take his young granddaughter Melanie to school. Melanie is a bright kindergartener with aspirations of becoming a doctor when she grows up.

On Monday mornings, after he drops Melanie off, John stays at the school for a couple of hours just to read one-on-one with every kid in Melanie’s class. “I like to read, so it gives me a real kick to experience the kids’ progress from just learning the letters, to reading entire stories—even with the appropriate inflections,” as they bring the stories to life. He credits the class teacher, Mrs. Autumn Petri, who “makes learning so much fun!” He adds, “ The children adore her!” But the children also really look forward to reading with John, whom they have nicknamed “Mr. Noodle,” after the beloved Sesame Street character. On Thursdays, he goes back to volunteer as a lunch parent.

There is nothing that gives John more satisfaction than to be involved in all aspects of Melanie’s life and to be a part of her formative years. Melanie is a busy girl, playing with the “Little Sis” Basketball Team, and with “The Varsity Deli” T-Ball Team, which John also happens to coach. She also attends children’s programs at Mt. Zion Christian Church and has plenty of time to play computer educational games, watch cartoons, and just play, like all kindergarteners should.

John and his wife Alicia are raising Melanie as their own daughter. When Melanie was a baby, her mother (one of John’s two daughters) left to never come back. John and Alicia are Melanie’s legal guardians, and are committed to be there for her every step of the way. John even takes parenting classes at his church.

But things may not have turned out this way, if John didn’t opt for taking a second chance.

Roll back the clock some years. John Espinoza, a third generation Texan of Mexican descent, grew up in mainstream North Dakota. His life was riddled with bad decisions, which put not only his own life in jeopardy, but also those of his first wife and their two young girls. “I was hard on my family,” he recalls. His life fell apart when his wife died. He continued to get involved in situations that eventually led him to spend time in jail.

It was while in jail, that John’s life made a sharp turn for the better. Through the turmoil, he found peace and endurance in the teachings from the Bible.

Fresh out of jail, John needed to find a job to support his family. He had worked as a CNC set up operator before, but now, time and time again his applications were rejected because of his dealings with the law…until he applied to work at Precision Plus, 13 years ago. He explained his situation to Mike Reader, and reassured Mike about the commitment he was willing to make to the company. He asked for a chance, and Mike, willingly, gave it to John. His career at Precision Plus, began as a tumbler.

“Mike was patient and through the years, he has helped to make my quality of life better. Mike makes a personal investment in his people,” adds John, “It goes beyond of just being an employee.”

When John was given a chance to raise his granddaughter, he knew that it was most important to be there for her and to be involved with her, so that Melanie would be better prepared to make the right decisions. “By allowing me to have night hours, Mike gave me the opportunity to spend the time I need to be with Melanie in her upbringing.”

Faith has been paramount in John’s life. But he not only leans on his faith for the second chances he has been given, he also gives back in more than one way. For the last 9 years, John has been preaching at local jails, hoping to impart the gift of a second chance he received once long ago. He also helps nurture a Hispanic group that recently joined Mt. Zion Christian Church.

When things feel as they might be falling apart, they may just be falling into place.  Second chances are there for the taking.

Precision Plus is proud to have John Espinoza in its team.

Veterans Day 2014: Precision Plus Honors Those Employees Who Have Served

Michael Reader

Veterans Day is probably one of the most significant days in our country…a day when we stop so that together we can remember that we would not be here without the effort, dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. We want to take this opportunity to thank our own Precision Plus’s  team members who selflessly served our nation and defended our rights.