2018 Employer Support Freedom Award given to Hiawatha-based Crystal Group
August 2nd, 2018


The Department of Defense announced 15 recipients of the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

Crystal Group, based in Hiawatha, along with 14 other businesses nationwide, will be honored at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Friday, Aug. 24.

"It is my pleasure to recognize these 15 outstanding civilian employers," said Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis. "Our National Guard and Reserve members are a vital part of our defense strategy and deserve as much support as this country can provide. These 15 employers lead the way in providing that. We are grateful to them for their role in helping to keep our nation safe and secure."

The 2018 recipients were selected from more than 2,350 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists, highlighting how their civilian employers went far beyond what the federal law requires to support them.

The Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional employer support, with 250 honorees to date.

For more information about the Freedom Award and this year's recipients, visit www.FreedomAward.mil. To learn more about ESGR, part of the Defense Personnel and Family Support Center, visit www.ESGR.mil.