ESGR accepting Freedom, Patriot Award nominations Published Nov. 8, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is currently accepting nominations for two awards that recognize employers for outstanding support of the National Guard and Reserve members they employ. The 2010 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award and Patriot Awards recognize civilian employers who uphold exceptional guidelines that benefit military members. The Freedom Award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers of guardsmen and reservists. Nominations will be accepted online at http://www.freedomaward.mil from Nov. 1, 2010 to Jan. 17, 2011. "The 15 winners of the 2010 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award attend a DOD-hosted dinner, tour the White House and even meet the president," said Mr. Kim Watts, ESGR executive director for Utah. Since its inception in 1996, the ESGR award committee has recognized more than 100 employers. The program is broken into three categories: big business, small business and the public sector. Last year's recipients included CEOs from seven large American corporations, a governor, a mayor, a state police director, the chancellor of a university, and four small business owners. The Patriot Award is a less formal way of acknowledging employers' assistance to members. Patriot Award nominations are accepted year round at www.ESGR.org/PA. This year, spouses of reservists may also nominate their supervisor or employer for the award. Patriot Award winners receive a pin, certificate and photo posted on the ESGR Web site. "Besides complying with the law, publicity is a good incentive for employers to continue to support their military employees," Mr. Watts said. "Everyone wants to be known as a good patriot." The ESGR, a DOD agency established in 1972, aims to expand on and preserve employer trust by recognizing their support through these awards.