Douglas County Community Corrections and the Lansing school district were among 34 employers in Kansas nominated by their employees for the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, considered the highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the National Guard and military reserves.

Companies may be nominated only by members of the National Guard and Reserve, or their family members. For this year’s award, the department received nominations from 2,199 people; many nominees provide continued benefits, differential pay, family assistance and other support.

A national selection board made of senior Defense officials and business leaders will select up to 15 recipients for this year’s award, to be announced this summer and presented Sept. 18 in Washington, DC.