DES MOINES, Iowa – September 8, 2009 – Three Iowa employers received the Iowa Freedom Awards in a ceremony today with Governor Chet Culver, Dick Rue, chairman of the Iowa Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and other ESGR officials.  In addition, Governor Culver signed a Proclamation designating the week of Sept. 14-20 as Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.
 The Iowa Freedom Award recognizes the exemplary ways Iowa employers support their National Guard and Reserve employees. One award is presented to employers in three categories: large employer, small employer and the public sector. 

 Recipients of the 2009 Iowa Freedom Awards are:
• Large Employer: Decker Truck Lines – Fort Dodge, accepted by Mr. Tony Russell, Vice President & COO
• Small Employer: The Printer, Inc. – Des Moines, accepted by Mr Bill Benskin, CEO
• Public Sector: Iowa State Patrol Post 14 – Ottumwa, accepted by Colonel Patrick Hoye, Public Safety Chief
In addition to presenting the Iowa Freedom Awards, Governor Culver signed a Proclamation designating September 14 – 20 as Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. 
In signing the proclamation, Governor Culver said, “Iowa’s National Guard and Reserve forces serve our state and the country with distinction, responding when called upon on every front in overseas contingency operations, as well as to the humanitarian emergencies we experience in our own state. By supporting our guardsmen and reservists, employers across Iowa are also helping to advance freedom and democracy around the world. That’s why we’re proud to sign this proclamation today and to recognize these three Iowa companies with the Iowa Freedom Award.”

“We are proud of our National Guard and Reserve military members and in awe of the sacrifice they make for all of us,” said Dick Rue, chairman of the Iowa Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.  “At the same time we recognize that employers are making sacrifices as well. This year’s Iowa Freedom Award recipients also received the Pro Patria award, the highest recognition given in Iowa by ESGR to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. We thank Governor Culver for signing a Proclamation designating Iowa ESGR week because it is important that the support of all Iowa employers of Guard and Reserve members be recognized.”

Nominations to receive ESGR awards come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or from a family member.

ESGR is a Department of Defense agency tasked with gaining and maintaining employer support for those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR achieves this mission by providing educational, consulting and mediation services to current and potential employers of Guard and Reserve members. More information about Iowa ESGR is available at: http://www.iowaesgr.org