Mazie Hirono: “Every year the Secretary of Defense recognizes employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard…”

“Every year the Secretary of Defense recognizes employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. This year, the Government of the State of Hawaii was selected for the Freedom Award, the highest employer recognition award given by the Defense Department. Hawaii Army National Guardsman K. Mark Takai submitted the nomination. The State of Hawaii provides credit toward retirement for the time their Guard and Reserve employees are activated and offers preferential hiring for those who have been deployed. The State also held a farewell ceremony and a welcome home parade for our 29th Brigade. Notably, Hawaii is the only State to recognize its fallen war heroes by awarding them the State Medal of Honor. As we celebrate National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, warmest 'aloha' goes out to employers like the State of Hawaii for recognizing the unique challenges that members of the Guard and Reserve face in balancing their civilian lives with their military service.”