CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2009) -- In the midst of a non-descript Middle Eastern village, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers interact with the local inhabitants the same as they have done day-in and day-out on routine patrols.

To read more, go to Florida Guard Online

Members of the National Guard and their families now can nominate employers for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  It is the highest recognition given to employers for their support of employees in the National Guard.  Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil through Jan. 18.

Originally posted at ArgusLeader.com

The age of Internet and satellite communications has made it easier for military families to stay in touch with their loved ones overseas.  But it hasn't made the worry and waiting any easier.  So both the military and the private sector have tried to ease the burdens a bit.

To read more, go to Individual.com

Col. John Cook, hospital commander at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, has signed an Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Statement of Support. The document presented by ESGR Mid-TN Chairman Carl Lambert and ESRG Military Outreach member Vivian Fivecoat signifies the commitment to the National Guard and Reserve, and that guardsmen and reservists are essential to the strength of our nation and the welfare of our communities.

To read more, go to The Leaf Chronicle

Follansbee, Wellsburg and Weirton were among communities that marked Veterans Day with programs paying tribute to those who have served in the military and continue to serve.  "For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know," said Tom Miller, quoting author and fellow Vietnam War veteran William Crapser, at a Veterans Day program outside Follansbee American Legion Post 45.

To read more, go to Herald Star Online

The 162nd Fighter Wing Minuteman Committee, the unit’s community support organization, raised $12,500 at its annual golf tournament fund raiser here, Oct. 30.  Approximately 100 golfers and 20 volunteers donned their best golfing attire at the Del Lago Golf Course to raise money for four different non-profit organizations; Project Challenge, Wright Flight, The Jimmy Jet Foundation and The Family Readiness Group.

To read more, go to AerotechNews.com

A St. Marys native recently received an award for her dedication to those who serve the country.  Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson recently received the Employer Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense for her support of military issues. The award also recognizes Hudson’s dedication to Ohio service members and ODI employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

To read more, go to Wapakoneta Daily News

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is acting to ease the worries of pension plan participants who are serving in the uniformed services when a plan terminates.  The PBGC has adopted a final rule that may protect the pension benefits of a defined benefit pension plan participant who is away serving in the military or in some roles in the National Disaster Medical System when the plan terminates.  To be eligible for protection, plan participants must return to their civilian employers within the 5-year time period set by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

To read more, go to Life and Insurance Health News

Members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families can nominate supportive employers for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

To read more, go to PennLive.com

WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – Satisfied that it’s increased its ranks by about 20,000 soldiers and continues to meet its recruiting goals, the Army Reserve now is focused on recruiting more troops as they leave active duty to fill gaps at the mid-level ranks and in specific specialties.

Army Brig. Gen. Leslie A. Purser, the Army Reserve’s deputy chief, praises recruiters and Army Reserve soldiers whose efforts enabled the Army Reserve to boost its numbers from about 185,00 to the current 206,000 in recent years.

To read more, go to Army.com

The Florida Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, presented Mayor John Marks the Seven Seals Award on Thursday in recognition of the Florida League of Cities' support of soldiers and their families. Marks serves as president of the League.

To read more, go to Tallahassee.com

Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, presented Mayor John Marks, President of the Florida League of Cities the Seven Seals Award in recognition of their support of the Florida Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve mission during The League’s Legislative Conference in Orlando, Thursday, November 19, 2009.

To read more, go to WCTV.tv

National Guard and Reserve members and families eligible to nominate supportive employers for Secretary of Defense award.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families across California are encouraged to thank supportive employers this Thanksgiving by nominating them for the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. While Americans are reflecting on what they are thankful for, Guard and Reserve members have the unique opportunity to say thanks to employers by nominating them for this prestigious award. California is one of the top 12 states and territories with the highest numbers of nominations to date. In addition to honoring 15 employers this year, 2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the SECDEF Employer Support Freedom Award.

To read more, go to Century City News

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the organization that encourages employers to support military personnel, is now taking nominations for its 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

To read more, go to MontanaNewsStation.com

Hey y'all... Prior to my extended leave:  I felt that ExpressJet did an outstanding job supporting our Vets... those deployed, who needed time off to complete drill and training requirements, and of course all of us who had left active duty and were given a shot at the airlines (hopefully) based upon the positive reputation of military veterans.

To read more, go to ExpressJetPilots.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY - Florida District-67 State Representative Ron Reagan (R) from Bradenton honored Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Cameron and Lt. Mike Anderson today with the distinguished “Patriot Award.”

To read more, go to MySunCoast.com

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A very special ceremony in Hartford honored some of the state's most disguised veterans.  Eleven of them were inducted into the Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.

To read more, go to WFSB.com

ELKO — Support for the troops in Elko is strong, and it extends beyond individuals to the business community.  Saturday, Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized 12 businesses for their support of citizen soldiers who are also their employees.  Chris Greener nominated his employer, Ron Warmbrodt of Precision Service, for always giving him the time off he needs, no questions asked.

To read more, go to Elko Daily

By Robert Kelly - Juggling a career and a family is difficult enough, but juggling two careers at once while helping to raise four children seems too daunting for anyone.  But E. Tracy Beckette has a ready, relaxed smile and speaks fondly of his life after 38 years in banking and a concurrent almost 37 years in the Missouri Army National Guard, where he rose to one of its highest ranks.

To read more, go to STLToday.com

Many employers go the extra mile to support Guard and reserve members.  Since 1966, the Secretary of Defense has recognized 15 companies that go the furthest each year with the annual Employer Support Freedom Award.

To read more, go to Military Times EDGE

Fort Dodge, Iowa  - Decker Truck Line, Inc. was the recipient of the 2009 Iowa Freedom Award for large employers.  Governor Chet Culver along with Dick Rue, chairman of the Iowa Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), presented Tony Russell, chief operating officer of Decker Truck Line, Inc. with the award during a ceremony recently.

To read more, go to Layover.com

How Guard is boosting employer support.  VIDEO

To view video, go to AZCentral.com

11/10/2009 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Fourteen civilian employers of 624th Regional Support Group members became part of a total force operation Saturday when they boarded a KC-135 Stratotanker and headed out on a refueling mission Saturday Nov. 7.

To read more, go to Hickam Air Force Base

POCOMOKE CITY -- Army National Guard Master Sgt. Ronald L. Pitts was presented the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for serving as a volunteer with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense volunteer program.

To read more, go to Del Marva Now or FrederickNewsPost.com

WHITEWATER - The Department of Defense on Thursday honored the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's veterans coordinator for her commitment to students serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

To read more, go to Daily Union