Alan Lacy, vice chairman, and other 2005 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award recipients meet with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office. Sears was one of only 15 organizations nationwide to win the prestigious award.

Sears was among an elite group of organizations that were honored with the 2005 Secretary of Defense

Freedom Award, the highest in a series of Defense Department employer awards. The purpose of the prestigious award is to publicly recognize employers for exceptional support of guard and reserve associates above what the law requires. Sears was one of only 15 organizations nationwide to win the award.

Alan Lacy, vice chairman of Sears Holdings Corporation, and Sears associates who serve in the National Guard and Reserve attended The Freedom Awards ceremony in Washington, DC on Oct. 15.

On Oct. 14, Lacy and other award recipients met with President George W. Bush at a private meeting at the White House where Bush thanked all of recipients for their support. Additionally, Lacy met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon for a special meeting and press briefing.

Sears proudly supports its military associates in a variety of ways including extensive pay and benefits and employment programs for associates and their families. Additionally, Sears funds various community outreach programs that support military families as part of the Sears American Dream Campaign. To learn more about Sears' support for associates and other military families, please visit: http://www.searsmedia.com/aboutsears/military.htm