By David Gorgani, USCM Intern
July 28, 2008

The Department of Defense has announced that Austin (TX) Mayor Will Wynn and the city of Austin will be awarded the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest recognition given by the federal government to employers for support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Wynn, along with 14 other employers, will be presented the award at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington on September 18th.

“These employers have provided exceptional support to the men and women serving in our National Guard and Reserve,” said Dr. L. Gordon Sumner Jr., Executive Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, which oversees the award selection process.

Wynn and the city were given the award for policies that support national guardsmen and reservists, such as 15-month differential pay to active employees of the Guard and Reserve. Additionally, the city was recognized for creating a position dedicated solely to helping service members assimilate themselves back into employment after returning from deployment.

Army National Guardsman Sgt. First Class Lertchai Mateo, who nominated the city for the award, explained, “I was always reassured by the Human Resources Department that I [would] have my job when I returned from active duty…[and they] recognized my service upon my return.”

This announcement follows a workshop by the Task Force on Community and Military Relations at the Conference’s Annual Meeting in Miami, where Task Force chairman Anchorage (AK) Mayor Mark Begich released a report of best practices across 26 cities to ease veteran transition to civilian life and to express appreciation for military service men and women.

According to the report, “All mayors of cities having a strong military presence understand that successful relationships depend on commitments made by both the civilian and military communities, and that improving quality of life for service personnel and their families should be a responsibility shared by both civilian and military leaders.”

Copies of the Task Force report “City Support for America’s Troops and Military Installations” are available for download at usmayors.org.