Wal-Mart Honored with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented the award in Washington, DC on September 21, 2004.

(PRWEB) September 23, 2004 -- The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, honored Wal-Mart as a 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipient on September 21, 2004 in Washington, DC.

Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart based on values he helped defend while serving in WWII: respect, quality of life, opportunity and freedom. Wal-Mart continues to provide benefits for associates called to active duty, assistance to their families and makes up any pay differential. Wal-Mart works with hospitals abroad where wounded soldiers are being treated to supply them with needed and requested items. Wal-Mart partners with the VFWs Operation Uplink offering free phone cards to military personnel, and recently donated $1 million to the VFW to help meet the rising demand for services with the influx of new veterans. In 2004 a $1.8 million dollar grant was also contributed to military family support groups.

We at Wal-Mart are both humbled and proud to receive this award," said Sue Oliver, senior vice president of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., who accepted the award on the companys behalf. While we appreciate this recognition, we have three-thousand Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB associates serving in the Guard and Reserve- the true heroes among us. They, too, appreciate all that ESGR does to make life a little easier while theyre serving our country."

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.

Wal-Marts exceptional support of their Reserve and National Guard employees during mobilization for the war against terrorism has set a standard for all employers to follow", said David Janes, ESGR National Chairman. Wal-Marts advocacy of extending continuing benefits, making up pay differentials, and ensuring employees are returned to their jobs in a timely manner is truly a role model for corporate America. I am proud to have participated in the selection of Wal-Mart for this prestigious award", added Janes.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAMS CLUBS in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina and South Korea. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Last year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., contributed more than $150 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. Customers and associates raised an additional $70 million at stores and clubs.

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.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense volunteer organization. ESGR provides free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.org, or by calling 800-336-4590.
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