Daily Archives: July 19, 2012

On New Year's Day 1975, Elton John released the single "Philadelphia Freedom." The song was a hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in 1995 the Recording Industry Association of America certified it platinum, marking more than one million records sold.

John penned the song in homage to his friend Billie Jean King. The singer followed King's career, including her time in 1974 with the Philadelphia Freedoms in the World TeamTennis league. John was such a fan that he would dress in the team's uniform and sit on the bench.

He'd be sitting on the bench screaming, "Come on!" He's a maniac.

So anyway, we're going to a concert of his one night, because I used to go with him a lot. I just remember him in this car, in this shell, in this bubble. He can't go anywhere without five bodyguards. One night he's in the back seat and he goes, "I want to write a song for you." I'm looking at him like he's kidding me for sure. Yeah, right. What is he smoking?

"No, no," he said. "I'm serious. I want to write a song for you"

"You're serious?"

"Yes," he said. "I'm very serious. What are we going to call it?"

He goes like this: Clap-clap-clap. He makes decisions quickly. He's just like, "Go! Take no prisoners!"

"What are we going to call it?" he asks. "What are we going to call it? What are we going to call it?"

Link:
Philadelphia Freedom: The story behind the song

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, announced today the 15 recipients of the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoDs highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees. These employers distinguished themselves from the 3,236 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists, or family members acting on their behalf.

The 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipients are:

Employer

Freedom Award recipients stand out by going above and beyond what the law requires of Guard and Reserve employers. They go to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees through both formal and informal initiatives. The 2012 recipients have provided such outstanding support as special hiring and career development programs for Guard and Reserve members; maintaining an open door policy for deployed employees family members in need of assistance; and forming internal veterans networks that maintain contact with deployed colleagues, organize care package drives, and advise managers on issues related to employing members of the military.

"On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, I thank the 2012 Freedom Award recipients for taking such exceptional care of the Guard and Reserve members they employ," said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Jessica L. Wright. "Our military could not meet todays national security demands without the Guard and Reserve, who in turn could not provide such dedicated service without the cooperation of their employers at home. These Freedom Award recipients have distinguished themselves nationally for their remarkable efforts, and we greatly appreciate their unwavering support."

A selection board comprised of senior DoD officials, business leaders and prior awardees selected the 15 recipients. Since 1996, only 160 employers have received the Freedom Award. The 2012 honorees will be recognized at the 17th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on September 20th.

For more information about the Freedom Award and this years recipients, visit http://www.FreedomAward.mil.

About ESGR and the Freedom Award:

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 160 employers have been honored with the award. Established as a DoD agency 40 years ago, ESGR develops and maintains employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

Read this article:
Department of Defense Announces Recipients of 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI Freedom Work Opportunities of Grand Blanc Township is in need of a new van and residents votes can make that happen.

Freedom Work Opportunities, 5509 Fenton Road, is one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyotas 100 Cars for Good program, where the goal is to give away 100 vehicles to 100 organizations in 100 days.

On Saturday, Freedom Work Opportunities will be one of five organizations up for consideration. Every day since May 14 Cars for Good profiled five organizations for the program.

Freedom Work Opportunities is a nonprofit organization that helps empower adults with disabilities find employment and gain valuable skills.

The van being used now was donated used to the organization several years ago and have more than 200,000 miles on it, said Marie Tino, marketing and fundraising director of Freedom Work Opportunities.

The drivers seat is broke on it. There is a lot of rust on it. And its not going to make it much longer, Tino said. It was great to get that but weve definitely gotten our use out of it.

The van is being used to pick up residents from their home or group home take them to work or to a Freedom Work Opportunities facility.

Voting is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday at http://www.100carsforgood.com. Freedom Work Opportunities headquarters are in Highland, so that is the city it will be listed under on the website. But the van, if the organization gets enough votes, will go to the Grand Blanc Township location.

Runner-up will also receive $1,000 from Toyota.

Excerpt from:
Freedom Work Opportunities in Grand Blanc Township needs votes to win a new van