The U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program

The Seal of the U.S. Department of the Army, and the emblem of the Assistant Secretary of the Army

• Freedom Team Salute is a Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army program launched in May 2005.
• The program recognizes U.S. Army Veterans and the Parents, Spouses and Employers of U.S. Army Soldiers. The program also recognizes those Special Supporters who have significantly contributed to supporting U.S. Army Soldiers and the Army’s Mission.
• Anyone (military or civilian) can honor a U.S. Army Veteran or an Army Supporter.
• Active Duty Soldiers can honor their Parents and Spouse. Guard and Reserve Soldiers can honor their Parents, Spouse and Employer.
• Commendation packages arrive in 3 to 4 weeks.
• There is no cost to participate. The program is fully funded by the U.S. Army.
• Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer Freedom Team Salute Ambassador can find information on the Freedom Team Salute website at www.FreedomTeamSalute.com.
• There have been more than 1.3 million Commendation recipients since the program began in May 2005.

Standing by our Soldiers is not an easy task — it requires steadfast vision, commitment and sacrifice — and the time spent in the Army shapes a Soldier’s life forever. Recognizing what a simple expression of gratitude can mean, in 2005 the Army created Freedom Team Salute. The program recognizes the essential bond between Soldiers, family and community; celebrates the sacrifices made by all those who support our Soldiers; and honors the millions of Soldier Veterans who have served and who remain as our living connection to generations of duty, honor, and patriotism.

Through a simple process, Freedom Team Salute allows all Soldiers to recognize their Parents, Spouse and Employer (of Guard and Reserve Soldiers) with a Commendation thanking them for the value they bring to the Army family. The program also allows anyone to recognize a U.S. Army Veteran for his or her service to the nation &mdash no matter where or when he or she served, or for how long. Additionally, anyone can recognize an Army Supporter who has significantly contributed to supporting U.S. Army Soldiers and the Army’s Mission.

The process is quick and easy: simply visit the program’s Web site at www.freedomteamsalute.com to recognize someone.

Every Freedom Team Salute honoree receives an official Commendation package, which includes a certificate of appreciation and a personalized letter signed by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff thanking them for their support of today’s Army. The package also includes an official U.S. Army lapel pin and two Army decals. The entire package is provided at no cost to either the nominator or the recipient.

For those who would like to take a proactive effort in thanking our nation’s Army Veterans and assisting America’s Soldiers in thanking those who support them, Freedom Team Salute sponsors a formal “Ambassador Program” that provides volunteers with tools to reach out to organizations and communities. There are currently more than 500 FTS Ambassadors in the continental United States and overseas.

For more details on Freedom Team Salute, to request materials for an event, or to honor someone, contact Freedom Team Salute online at www.freedomteamsalute.com or via e-mail at info@FreedomTeamSalute.com