President Declares Sept. 21-27 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week
15 Employers to Receive Secretary of Defense Award During Proclamation Week
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 21 – 27, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. The week recognizes the important contributions employers have made in supporting the military service of their National Guard and Reserve employees.
"Throughout our history, patriotic Americans have always stepped up in our Nation's time of need. It is in this spirit that our National Guard and Reserve members carry forward a proud legacy of service and sacrifice," proclaimed President Obama.
Emphasizing the critical support employers provide, the President stated, "By providing workplace flexibility and helping the advancement of their civilian careers, employers ease the burden on those who serve and their loved ones. And we appreciate all our country's businesses that go above and beyond in small and large ways to recognize our patriots. We know that when it comes to supporting our Nation's heroes, everybody can do something – every business, every school and every American."
The week's events culminate with the 19th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony Sept. 26. The ceremony will be hosted at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will formally recognize 15 employers that have been named recipients of this year's Freedom Award. The master of ceremonies is Tony Orlando, an entertainer with five number one hits and a dedicated supporter of our nation's military.
The 2014 award recipients represent large and small businesses, as well as public sector agencies. They have distinguished themselves from a field of 2,864 nominations submitted by National Guardsmen and Reservists from all five service branches. To learn more about this year's recipients, visit www.FreedomAward.mil under the Recipients tab.
Presidential Proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/19/presidential-proclamation-national-employer-support-guard-and-reserve-we
The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR and is the Department of Defense's highest honor for employer support of National Guard and Reserve employees. In the years since, 190 employers have been honored with the award.
For questions or interviews regarding the Freedom Award, contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at [email protected] or by phone at 571-372-0705.
CONTACT:
Beth Sherman
571-372-0705
[email protected]
SOURCE Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
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