Time Running Out to Nominate Employers for 2013 Freedom Award
January 7, 2013
January 21 deadline for Department of Defense’s highest award for Guard and Reserve employers
ARLINGTON,VA – January 7, 2013 – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve(ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, is encouraging Guardsmen andReservists to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretaryof Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the January 21deadline. The Freedom Award is the nation’s highest recognition foremployers supporting Guard and Reserve members. Employers of every sizeand industry are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and Reservemembers, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate theiremployers at www.FreedomAward.mil.
Withtoday’s evolving missions of the Reserve Component, as we adapt to thecurrent national security policy, America’s employers continue toprovide steadfast support to the more than one million men and womenserving in the National Guard and Reserve at home and abroad. TheFreedom Award is your opportunity to honor your employer for theircritical support, said James Rebholz, ESGR National Chair. As a memberof the Guard or Reserve who has received outstanding support from yourcivilian employer, take the time to nominate them for the 2013 FreedomAward.
Any civilian employer who has not previously receivedthe award is eligible. Service members who have previously nominatedtheir employers are encouraged to do so again. The Department of Defensewill recognize nominees, semi-finalists and finalists. The 2013recipients will be announced in early summer and honored in Washington,D.C. during a ceremony in the fall. Past recipients have met with thePresident of the United States, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of theJoint Chiefs of Staff.
About ESGR and the Freedom Award:
TheFreedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR torecognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the yearssince, 175 employers have been honored with the award. Established as aDoD agency 40 years ago, ESGR develops and maintains employer supportfor Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives,recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws,and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramountto ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservistswho bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to thecivilian workforce.
For questions or interviews regarding theFreedom Award, please contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at571-372-0705 or by email at [email protected].
