The nomination process,
which began opened Jan. 9, concludes Feb. 28. To nominate their employers, Guardsmen or their family members
need only visit the
www.esgr.mil, and complete the 2006 Freedom Award nomination form.
ESGR Field Committees will review the nominations, and have the option
to present three nominations per committee for review by the National
Selection Board.
Board members will select up to 15 employers to receive this year’s
award. The 2006 recipients will be honored in Washington at the 11th
annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony
hosted by ESGR on September 19, 2006.
“I am encouraging all National Guardsmen and Reservists worldwide,
and their family members, to visit the ESGR website and nominate their
employers,” said Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR Executive Director. This
prestigious national award recognizes supportive employers who provide
exemplary support above the USERRA Law requirements for their employees
who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.”
More than 1,500 nominations were submitted in 2005 on the ESGR
website. In 2006 the goal is 5,000 nominations, a relatively small
number, as ESGR estimates that over 125,000 employers in America employ
National Guardsmen and Reservists. Previous recipients have included a
“who’s who” of corporate America, including The Home Depot, Wal-Mart,
Sears, General Electric, Verizon, and UPS. State and local governments
and a number of America’s small businesses across the nation have also
been honored.
