Louisville, Ky. — Six officials at the University of Louisville have received Patriot Awards for their outstanding dedication and service to Kentucky Guard and Reserve members.

Mayor John Marks, President of the Florida League of Cities accepts the Seven Seals Award from the Florida ESGR Committee during its 19 Nov 2009 Board Meeting in Orlando. 

On November 13, 2009, thirteen employers and two committee members boarded a C23 to Fort Benning, GA to observe Urban Operations Training and the Army Rangers Demo.  The first stop upon landing was a photo op in front of the famous “Follow Me” statue.  Employers had the opportunity to ask numerous questions of Georgia Guard Soldiers as they dined with them at one of the dining facilities.  Employers visited the rifle range as well as the Army Marksmanship Unit in which they were briefed on the various weapons used by the Army.
 

Savannah managers Susan Washington and Bob Farrell were honored on July 21 for lending extraordinary support to their employees who serve in the military.  Both received Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award certificates from Jerry Loupee, Southeast Georgia coordinator of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The ESGR was established by the Department of Defense in 1972 to generate and sustain employer support for employees who serve in National Guard and reserve units.

Raleigh, NC– Bud Baker, Field Chair of the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced Temple Sloan III, President, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve in October 2009 at CARQUEST’s Corporate Office.  
 

SALT LAKE CITY - Governor Gary R. Herbert signed a declaration proclaiming November 8 through 14, 2009 as Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve week in Utah in a ceremony at the State Capitol.

Statements of Support (SOS) for the National Guard and Reserve were signed on November 7 in Washington, Arkansas. The Employer Support of the Guard Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, directed the event.
 

154 Guard and Reserve members have taken the time to nominate their supportive employers for the 2010 SECDEF Freedom Award at www.FreedomAward.mil.  Read some excerpts from their nominations:

The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal was created by Act 695 of 2008 Louisiana Legislature.  The intention is to recognize and honor all Louisiana veterans.  One side of the medal bears an outline of the state and the words, “United States Armed Forces.”  The flip side reads, “Louisiana appreciates your service to our country.”  All medals may be worn over the neck or pinned on a jacket.  Some medals are distinguished for veterans killed in action or wounded in action; others designate veterans who were prisoners of war.

(Tampa, FL) – The Florida Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today Jason Minnear of the Florida Aquarium was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Florida National Guard and Reserve.

Coronado Island, California- The California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recently worked along side the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) during a panel discussion for the Annual MOAA National Conference held in the beautiful city of Coronado Island.

The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Georgina Fierros, Tucson Veteran's Hospital, Tucson, Arizona was honored with a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of the veterans who served our country.

LINCOLN ­ The top job at the Nebraska Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is in new hands.  Major General (retired) Walter Zink assumed the Nebraska ESGR field committee chairmanship, a volunteer position, from Lieutenant General (Nebraska retired) Roger Lempke.

A Patriot Award was presented today to Ms. Teresa Mattern, Southeast Community College Radiology Department, for her outstanding support to SSgt Jennifer Gubbels, 155th Services Flight, Nebraska Air National Guard. 

Green Valley, Arizona, October 18, 2009 -The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Derek Cooke, Mine Operations Manager, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold, Green Valley, Arizona was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee who serves in the Arizona Army National Guard.

(Columbus, Ohio) – Anthony Augello, Executive Director of the Ohio Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Mary Jo Hudson, Director, Ohio Department of Insurance, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on 26 October 2009. 

El Segundo, California–The California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) agency is proud to announce that Mattel was recently presented the Pro Patria Award, the second highest honor bestowed on an employer by the Department of Defense.

Green Valley, Arizona - The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Norali Cota, Supervisor, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold, Green Valley, Arizona was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee who serves in the Arizona Army National Guard.
 

Old Chicago - Southpointe, Lincoln, NE, supports their staff in uniform.  Shane Rue, General Manager, Old Chicago, proudly displays his Statement of Support he signed on Friday, 16 October.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, today announced the opening of the nomination season for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  National Guard and Reserve members and their families are eligible and encouraged to nominate employers who have provided exceptional support of military employees above the federal law requirements.  Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil from November 2, 2009 to January 18, 2010.  The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.