Fifteen employers from across the nation received the prestigious award, the nation’s highest honor given to employers for exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees. “The extraordinary support these employers provide contributes greatly to the readiness and resilience of our Guardsmen and Reservists,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “Their support allows those troops to serve our nation at home and abroad knowing their civilian careers are secure, and is vitally important to the success of our national security strategy.” The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office was nominated for the Freedom Award by Oregon Army National Guard 1st Sgt. John Zagyva, who serves as a part-time Citizen-Soldier with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, out of Redmond, Oregon. Highlights of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office’s support of Guardsmen and Reservists include: Leadership spearheaded a change the Oregon Constitution that prohibited differential pay for Reserve/Guard members, alleviating the pay difference between military duty and their civilian jobs. The organization created the Military Employee Support Program, partnering with local organization raising money for deployed service members. Organized a “Deployed Vet Drive” which collected a half ton of needed items for deployed service members. Sheriff Roberts has used his business connections to help find employment for unemployed Guardsmen and Reservists. The organization monitors the families of deployed troops and assists them with yard work and home repairs. Sheriff Roberts personally delivered Christmas presents to the families of his mobilized troops.
