Nominations sought for Guard, Reserve employer award Published Jan. 20, 2005 ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is accepting nominations for its 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, given for outstanding support of employees who serve in the Reserve and National Guard.The award was instituted in 1996 to recognize the significant contributions and sacrifices made by America's employers of National Guardsmen and reservists, ESGR officials said. This year, ESGR officials said they are reinstating the original parameters of the nomination process in which only guardsmen and reservists may nominate employers."Today, in support of the war on terrorism and the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, an essential alliance has been formed, as many of America's employers have become inextricably linked to the nation's defense by sharing their most precious asset -- their employees," said Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR executive director.National Guardsmen and reservists can nominate their employers online at www.esgr.mil/. Nominations will be accepted through midnight Feb. 24. Recipients will be recognized Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)