Nominations begin for highest ESGR honor Published Nov. 3, 2007 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Department of Defense is asking National Guard and Reserve members to nominate employers for 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award honors employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the U.S. government's highest recognition given to outstanding employers. Nominations will be accepted at www.esgr.mil from November 1, 2007 to January 21, 2008. The 2008 recipients will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2008. Previous Freedom Award recipients have included large businesses, state and local governments and small. More information about the award and nomination process can be found on the ESGR website.