An Omaha-based trucking company has been recognized by the Defense Department for its unwavering support of servicemembers.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. was one of 15 organizations to receive the prestigious Freedom Award, the DoD's highest award presented to a civilian organization for supporting the National Guard and Reserve.
Werner was also recognized by MOAA last year with a Distinguished Service Award for its support of veterans and their spouses.
More than 3,000 organizations are reported to have applied for the award.
“We were in awe,” said Rick Buchholz, associate director of military programs for Werner. “This is the pinnacle award. We're very humbled by it.”
MOAA member Brig. Gen. Paul Cohen (USAF, Ret.), who serves as chairman for Nebraska's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, was instrumental in pushing Werner Enterprises' application.
“They go above and beyond looking after and supporting military,” Cohen said.
The Freedom Award was established in 1996 under the DoD program Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
The award recognizes employers who exceed federal requirements to support their military employees.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and son of a field artillery officer, lauded the efforts of each organization. He presented the awards during a Friday ceremony at the Pentagon.
“I am a temporary custodian of the flame for veterans, but you all are in your communities every day forever making sure that you are permanent custodians of that flame,” he said. “I want to thank you for your service to your communities, to our warriors and to the people of the United States.”
Over the past five years, Werner has hired more than 10,000 servicemembers and 500 military spouses.
Through its apprenticeship program, the company has created a direct employment pathway for National Guard, Reserve, veterans and spouses.
Werner is based out of Nebraska, but hires military members and their spouses for jobs across the country. About 20 percent of its employees have a connection to the military, said Buchholz, who retired from the Army in 2006 after 20 years of service.
Hiring and supporting veterans has long been an intiative at Werner, he said.
“It's the right thing to do,” he said. “They've given time and made sacrifices, so it's on us to take care of them when they come out.”
Other Freedom Award recipients are:
Amazon, Seattle
AME Swiss Machining LLC, Ligonier, Ind.
ArgenTech Solutions, Inc., Newmarket, N.H.
Big Sky Advisors, St. Louis, Mo.
Crystal Group, Inc., Hiawatha, Iowa
Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, N.C.
Dunlap Police Department, Dunlap, Tenn.
FMI Corporation, Raleigh, N.C.
Greencastle Associates Consulting Company, Malvern, Penn.
Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, Minn.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, Penn.
South Charleston Police Department, South Charleston, W.V.
Texas Department if Insurance, Austin, Texas
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury, Md.
Amanda Dolasinski is MOAA's staff writer. She can be reached at amandad@moaa.org. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMOAA.