Proclamation recognizes employer support Published Sept. 23, 2014 WASHINGTON -- President Obama signed a proclamation Sept. 19 declaring the National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. The week of Sept. 21-27 recognizes the important contributions employers have made in supporting the military service of their National Guard and Reserve employees. "Throughout our history, patriotic Americans have always stepped up in our nation's time of need," wrote the president. "It is in this spirit that our National Guard and Reserve members carry forward a proud legacy of service and sacrifice." In the proclamation, Obama said employers are critical to national defense because they provide workplace flexibility and help the advancement of their civilian careers by easing the burden on those who serve and their loved ones. "We appreciate all our country's businesses that go above and beyond in small and large ways to recognize our patriots," the president said. "We know that when it comes to supporting our nation's heroes, everybody can do something - every business, every school and every American." The week's events culminate with the 19th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony Sept. 26 in the Pentagon. The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve ceremony will formally recognize 15 employers, who have been named recipients of this year's Freedom Award. The 2014 award recipients represent large and small businesses, as well as public sector agencies. They distinguished themselves from a field of 2,864 nominations submitted by guardsmen and reservists from all five service branches. This year's award recipients include J.G. Management Systems, Inc., of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Shofner Vision Center of Nashville, Tennessee, who were nominated by Air Force reservists.