The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award  
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Logo of the National Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
The following organization received the 2008 Freedom Award
Freedom Award TrophyCoastal Windows
Waipahu, HI
Coastal Windows Vice President, Bob Barrett, receives the 2008 Freedom Award at a Sept. 18 ceremony in Washington, DC. (Left to right), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall, Mr. Barret, Director, Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. David S. C. Chu. Photo by Jason Brunson
Coastal Windows Vice President, Bob Barrett, receives the 2008 Freedom Award at a Sept. 18 ceremony in Washington, DC. (Left to right), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall, Mr. Barret, Director, Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. David S. C. Chu. (Photo by Jason Brunson)
Coastal Windows, Inc., a family-owned construction business located in Waipahu, Hawaii, is a 2008 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award recipient in the Small Business category. To help ease the burden on families, and to minimize concerns of the deployed employees, Coastal Windows Inc. maintains all benefits, including health, dental, vision, and contributions to the employee’s 401K account for the entire length of deployment. Service members, while deployed, continue to earn sick and vacation time and are provided additional time off, so they can spend more time with their families before or after deployment. Coastal Windows’ Vice-President Bob Barrett, after learning about ESGR and its mission, has become an ESGR employer outreach volunteer and works with ESGR Hawaii to present awards to employers who demonstrate outstanding support for their Guard and Reserve employees. Additionally, Mr. Barrett helps to educate employers about the benefits of hiring Guard and Reserve members. The company also participates in the United States Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program each year, and even provided a window for a SWAT vehicle used by the Army Rangers. The company often sends care packages to deployed employees and maintains regular contact with them via e-mail. Coastal Windows sends their service members the company’s newsletter, stays in constant contact with family members and ensures that spouses are invited to organizational social functions.
Coastal Windows, with the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Photo by Jason Brunson
Coastal Windows, with the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. (Photo by Jason Brunson)
Coastal Windows Vice President, Bob Barrett with Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England. Photo by MC2 Molly Burgess
Coastal Windows Vice President, Bob Barrett with Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England. (Photo by MC2 Molly Burgess)
 
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
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