Fifteen employers have been selected to receive the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for their efforts on behalf of employees who are in the National Guard or Reserve.

“Our National Guard and Reserve members are a vital part of our national defense and deserve as much support as our country can provide,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement. “These 15 employers lead the way, and we are grateful for their role in helping to keep our nation safe and secure.”

The recipients were selected from over 2,350 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists highlighting how their civilian employers went beyond what federal law requires to support them. The Freedom Award recipients will be honored at an Aug. 24 Pentagon ceremony.

The 15 recipients are: Amazon, Seattle; AME Swiss Machining LLC, Ligonier, Ind.; ArgenTech Solutions Inc., New Market, N.H.; Big Sky Advisors, St. Louis; Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C.; Dunlap Police Department, Dunlap, Tenn.; FMI Corporation, Raleigh, N.C.; Greencastle Associates Consulting LLC, Malvern, Pa.; Crystal Group Inc., Hiawatha, Iowa; Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, Minn.; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, Pa.; South Charleston Police Department, South Charleston, W.V.; Texas Department of Insurance, Austin, Texas;  Werner Enterprises Inc., Omaha, Neb.; and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury, Md.