Deadline to nominate employers approaching Published Jan. 5, 2011 By SrA Melissa Harvey 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs NAS FORT WORTH JRB -- The beginning of the new year marks the final two weeks for Guard and Reserve members and their families to nominate supportive employers for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Nominations may be submitted at www.FreedomAward.mil through January 17, 2011. The names of all nominated employers will be announced in the spring and the 15 Freedom Award recipients will be announced in early summer. The 15 recipients for 2011 will be honored in Washington, D.C. at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony in September. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve 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. For questions regarding the Freedom Award nomination process, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil or contact Maj. Melissa Phillips, ESGR Public Affairs, at 703-696-1171, ext. 519 or by email at ESGR-PA@osd.mil.