Monday, Oct. 17, 2005
State of Delaware One of Fifteen Employers in the Nation to Receive Department of Defense Freedom Award
Washington – The State of Delaware is one of fifteen employers chosen from among 1,500 nominations nationwide for the 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which honors those employers that offer exceptional support to their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
As an award winner, Delaware was recognized for its support above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. During Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s administration, Delaware has supported its Guard and Reserve through legislation protecting those who serve, as well as their families, during deployment.
“We rely now more than ever on the men and women of our National Guard and Reserve,” Gov. Minner said. “The least we can do for them is to make sure they and their families are taken care of when they are serving our state and our country. To be recognized nationally for our efforts is a true honor, but the ones who deserve our recognition and thanks are those who have made the commitment to put their lives on the line and sacrifice valuable time with their families to serve our nation.”
Gov. Minner has proposed and signed several pieces of legislation to support the National Guard and Reserve through a variety of insurance benefits, as well as differential pay for deployed service members.
Delaware was nominated by Sgt. Kenneth Hardy of the Delaware State Police, Probation Officer II Robert Brown of the Department of Correction and Environmental Health Specialist Fernando Ollano of the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection. Their nomination not only mentioned the legislation to help Guard members and Reservists, but also noted that Gov. Minner often shows public support for those who serve.
“It is very appropriate that the Governor and the State of Delaware receive this prestigious award and be recognized for outstanding efforts manifested in legislation and policies which assist members of Delaware’s Guard and Reserve personnel and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Francis D. Vavala, Adjutant General of Delaware’s National Guard. “Delaware is far and away an employer who is committed to taking care of its military members!”
The awards were presented Saturday night at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The other winners were Alticor, Inc. of Michigan; Citizens Financial Group of Rhode Island; Eaton Corp. of Ohio; Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Missouri; IDACORP of Idaho; the Los Angeles Police Department; the Louisiana Department of Safety & Corrections; Pioneer Financial Services of Missouri; Ryland Homes of California; Sears, Roebuck and Co. of Illinois; South Dakota State University; Toyota Motor Sales of California; USAA and Wachovia.
