Carbondale, IL June 5, 2012- Early Tuesday morning, at the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale. Tom Miller, of River Radio, was recognized for his extraordinary efforts of support for the National Guard and Reserve. Tom was nominated and granted the highest award given to a civilian, “The Seven Seals Award.”
 
The award, depicting the heraldry seals of the seven military services, is given at the discretion of the ESGR chairman to recognize the efforts by a citizen, business, or organization, whose supportive actions have benefited the National Guard and Reserve through means other than employment. Recipients of this award have demonstrated outstanding support, commitment, and extreme patriotism to the United States military.
 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The ESGR develops and promotes employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members.
 
Tim Franklin, of ESGR, said that Tom “was nominated because of his volunteer work, his donations to military friendly charities, his efforts to help raise awareness of military lifestyle on his morning talk show, and a number of special services he has performed for members of the Guard and Reserve.”
 
“You can’t do it alone.” Miller said. “This award is not just for me, but also for my partners. I may have hand packed 1200 boxes to be sent to Afghanistan and Iran, but it was through the generosity of others that those boxes were filled.”
 
Tom Miller is the Morning talk show host on WJPF. He starting in radio 36 years ago and has been on air every year since. For the past 14 years, he has worked for River Radio of Southern Illinois where he serves not only as a morning host, but the Program Director of WJPF and the Operations Manager of River Radio.
 
During the ceremony, Steve J Falat, Regional Vice President of River Radio, signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve. This states that River Radio fully recognizes, honors and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA), that their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve, and that they will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
 
“We’re really proud of Tom” says Steve. “For his passion and dedication to providing not only information but assistance to all the men and women who currently are or who have served our country. Tom has been instrumental in working with the Illinois Department of Employment Services as well as the National Guard and Reservist with job fair awareness via Public Service Announcements and interviews.”