National Guard and Reserve members and their families are strongly encouraged to nominate employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.  Nominations are currently being accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil through January 18, 2010.

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“There is much excitement surrounding the 15th anniversary of the Freedom Award,” noted acting ESGR Executive Director Ms. Polli Brunelli, “and we’re enthusiastic to begin selection of the 2010 recipients from amongst all of the heartfelt nominations that will be submitted by thousands of proud Citizen Warriors.” The fifteen 2010 recipients will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. at the 15th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony on September 23, 2010.

Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflict through mediation.

For questions regarding the Freedom Award nomination process, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil or contact Maj. Melissa Phillips, ESGR Public Affairs, at 703-380-9262.