Grissom reservist’s CE receives ESGR Freedom Award

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  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Tech. Sgt. Stephen MacKenzie’s civilian employer, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., was one of 15 to receive the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at the Pentagon recently.

MacKenzie, 49th Aerial Port Flight quality assurance, nominated his employer for their personal and financial support provided during his most recent deployment overseas.

During his deployment overseas, the MacKenzie family received an outpouring of support from FASTSIGNS International which included sending care packages to MacKenzie and his family. In addition, the company made sure his salary was not affected during his time overseas and provided the difference in his military compensation and corporate pay during the full time period.

“My employer, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., interacted with me regularly and cared for me during my involuntary activation in support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve” said Stephen MacKenzie. “They were in constant contact with my family. It’s overwhelming to put into words the way they had my “6” during my deployment for the Air Force Reserve. I realize that not all of those who serve are receiving the same level of engagement and consideration. As a company, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. and especially our CEO Catherine Monson, did more for me than I ever expected, in honor of my service! This had a phenomenal impact as I reintegrated back into the civilian world. The ongoing support from FASTSIGNS has continued to be very humbling, and our family is full of gratitude!”

“We are honored to be named one of the recipients of this prestigious national recognition from the Department of Defense and will continue to uphold the values we believe in as part of our corporate responsibility to our employees and to our military,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “It’s an honor to be in the company of the other winning companies and organizations - well-respected global brands and public safety and fire departments across the country. We will continue to support our employees who serve our country, and we hope that more companies will get on board and do the same thing for the veterans, service men and women, reservists and National Guard members they employ. We don’t feel we did anything out of the ordinary or something different than every company should do. I hope that we can use this honor to educate and motivate other company leaders to give similar personal and financial support to their reservists and National Guard team members.”

The fourteen other recipients include: Alaska Airlines, Albuquerque Police Department, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Burford Corporation, Carolinas Healthcare System, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Delmarva Veteran Builders, Hope Valley Industries, Idaho State Police, Lowe’s, Maryland State Police, Prairie Grove Consolidated School District 46, Seattle Fire Department and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members.

Information provided courtesy of press release.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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