WASHINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) called attention to the beginning of the application period for Delaware Guard and Reserve members to nominate their supportive employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the U.S. Government's highest honor given to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Nearly one-half of the U.S. military is comprised of the Guard and Reserve, making the role of U.S. employers in support of employees in the military increasingly important.

Service members are encouraged to nominate employers who foster a supportive environment for Guard or Reserve service. Family members can also nominate their service member's employer during this nomination season. Nominations may be submitted by service members, or a family member acting on their behalf, at www.FreedomAward.mil through January 21, 2013.

The 2013 recipients will be announced in early summer and honored in Washington, DC during a special ceremony next fall. All employers – large, small and public – are eligible for nomination. Recipients for the 2012 Freedom Award included diverse employers such as an automotive industry leader, national financial services company, a police department, a utilities company and others.

About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the Freedom Award:

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 175 employers have been honored with the award. ESGR was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information regarding the Freedom Award, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil.