HORSHAM, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, announced that Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is a state finalist for the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award. The finalists for this prestigious award include small, large private and public sector employers, nominated by a National Guard or Reserve employee in their organization. Award nominations are accepted from all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia.
The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR runs the annual award program, which has presented the honor to employers since 1996.
The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by mid-June. The recipients will be honored in a ceremony at the Pentagon in August.
Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to forward CCA’s nomination for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year. CCA’s nomination was selected from the seven service member submissions in the public sector category.
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Capt. Joseph Page nominated the CCA for the Freedom Award for their outstanding support of his military career. In his nomination, Page stated in part: “I was recognized and honored with letters and small gifts of appreciation for my 13-years of service… Several mid-level administrators from CCA’s Dickson City Family Service Center have routinely performed welfare call to check on my family while I am drilling, on state or federal active duty orders, and away for other training requirements.” Page continued; “CCA donated approximately $100,000 worth of toys to all Pennsylvania Army Nation Guard units.”
CCA’s nomination for the Freedom Award is highly endorsed by State ESGR Chair Marty Kuhar who stated: “CCA provides excellent support for the sixteen members of the Reserve Components employed at their Harrisburg, PA facility. Throughout the year, the Academy has a program with ongoing recognition of members of the National Guard and Reserves through company social media platforms with, special emphasis placed on a Veterans Day program that includes a company party and gifts. The Academy’s Executive Vice President for operations personally leads their military support effort by organizing and maintaining a Military Support Group that keeps in full contact with their deployed employees and their families throughout the time away. Cards and letters are sent routinely while service members are deployed. A Welcome Home party is provided upon their return. The Academy actively annually recruits members of the Guard and Reserves by holding “Hiring Fairs” with statewide Guard and Reserves units.”
ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. 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 about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA. Information about the Freedom Award can be found at https://www.freedomaward.mil/