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:

• In 30 years of active duty, and reserve service, I have never had a single instance of anything but "you do what is necessary."
   
• Any time an employee is deployed, a package explaining the benefits to them is mailed out as soon as they receive notification. This way, the employee knows exactly what to expect while they are gone. Management continuously stays in contact with the employee whenever possible.
   
• The employer I'm nominating has helped my wife with everything from changing her work hours so that the kids could make it to school on time, to sending down the person that does their computer set-ups for the company to install an on-line Web-Cam, at their expense, to insure that I had contact with my wife and kids… and further insure me that the were behind me all the way.
   
• While there was no need to hire a temporary replacement, the company hired an intern so to ensure there would be no piled up work even during the time I was gone.
   
• The last day I worked before I left they bought lunch for the whole plant and then my employer and his family served us our meal in honor of all the troops who have served now and in the past.
   
• My employer acknowledges military personnel with the establishment of a sanctioned military Affinity group that provides awareness to company leaders and employees and gives professional networking support to military personnel. 
   
• My employer has established a Military Support committee which identifies and supports Active Guard and Reserves by regularly contacting deployed members’ families, family support through yard work projects, food and financial aid. Sending care packages to deployed members and office-wide recognition of returning members. They also display service members’ photos in public office areas.

Thank your employer by nominating them for the 2010 SECDEF Freedom Award at www.FreedomAward.mil.