ESGR Announces 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients

Secretary of Defense to recognize fifteen American Employers who have demonstrated "Above and Beyond" support for their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

ARLINGTON, VA (PRWEB) May 19, 2004 --- The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense Agency, announced the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipients today.

The 2004 award recipients are: American Express, New York City; Bank One Corp., Chicago; Colt Safety Fire and Rescue, St. Louis; Coors Brewing Co., Golden, Colo.; General Electric, Fairfield, Conn.; Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee; The Home Depot, Atlanta; Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Monterey Park, Calif.; Northrop Grumman Corp., Los Angeles; Fisk Corp./OneSource Building Technologies, Houston; Saints Memorial Medical Center, Lowell, Mass.; Sprint Corp., Overland Park, Kan.; State of Minnesota, St. Paul; Strategic Solutions, Inc., Walnut Creek, Calif.; and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, Ark.

At no time in the nations recent history have the National Guard and Reserve forces contributed so much to the defense of our nation", said Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR Executive Director. In support of the war on terrorism, and the ongoing operations in Iraq, an essential alliance has been formed with the Department of Defense as many of Americas employers have become inextricably linked to the nations defense by sharing their most precious asset, their employees."

The 2004 Department of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients represent the highest level of corporate patriotism for their exceptional support of their employees who serve our nation in the Guard and Reserve", added Hollingsworth.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, a Waterford crystal eagle, was introduced in 1996 to publicly recognize the significant contributions and sacrifices made by Americas employers of Guardsmen and Reservists. This years recipients will be recognized on September 21, 2004 at the Ronald Regan International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

The unique mission of ESGR is to: gain and maintain active employer support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the Guard and Reserve as defined by demonstrated employer commitment to employee military service". To learn more about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities please visit our website at www.esgr.com or call 800-336-4590.