IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Fifteen Exceptional Employers Recognized for Top Honor

WASHINGTON ¬– The Department of Defense announced the 15 recipients of the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

"It is my pleasure to recognize these 15 outstanding civilian employers," said Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis.  "Our National Guard and Reserve members are a vital part of our national defense and deserve as much support as our country can provide.  These 15 employers lead the way and we are grateful for their role in helping to keep our nation safe and secure."

The Freedom Award recipients below will be honored August 24 at a Pentagon ceremony:

City/State                                                                     Employer                       

Austin, Texas                                                                Texas Department of Insurance

Charlotte, North Carolina                                              Duke Energy

Dunlap, Tennessee                                                        Dunlap Police Department

Hiawatha, Iowa                                                             Crystal Group, Inc.

Ligonier, Indiana                                                           AME Swiss Machining LLC

Malvern, Pennsylvania                                                  Greencastle Associates Consulting, LLC

Newmarket, New Hampshire                                        ArgenTech Solutions, Inc.

Omaha, Nebraska                                                         Werner Enterprises, Inc.

Raleigh, North Carolina                                                 FMI Corporation

Salisbury, Maryland                                                      Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office

Seattle, Washington                                                     Amazon                                                

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania                                        Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

South Charleston, West Virginia                                   South Charleston Police Department

St. Louis, Missouri                                                        Big Sky Advisors

St. Paul, Minnesota                                                      Minnesota Department of Transportation

The 2018 recipients were selected from more than 2,350 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists highlighting how their civilian employers went far beyond what the federal law requires to support them. The Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional employer support, with 250 honorees to date. 

For more information about the Freedom Award and this year’s recipients, visit www.FreedomAward.mil. To learn more about ESGR, part of the Defense Personnel and Family Support Center, visit www.ESGR.mil.