The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers from the Secretary of Defense. Employers receive this award for supporting their employees who serve in the military or National Guard. According to Aledo Times Record, the nationwide nominations for this award have increased by 64 percent in the past year.

John Deere Harvester Works from East Moline, Illinois, became a 2011 semifinalist for supporting their military employees in several ways, including the continuation of full benefits, sending care packages and supporting their families for the duration of their service. Of the 148 semifinalists, the ESGR judges will decide on 30 finalists.

"Our nation's ability to rely on the Guard and Reserve through nearly 10 years of war and during historic natural disasters is made possible by the tremendous support of employers," ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz told the news source.

This type of support is one of the reasons that Class John Deere has one of the most renowned reputations throughout the world.