YOUNGSTOWN, OH...Falcon Transport Co., a Youngstown-based trucking and transportation company, today received a Patriot Employer Award, a national recognition of the company's support for employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

 The award is sponsored by the National Guard Bureau and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a division of the Department of Defense.

 A representative from the Ohio Committee for ESGR presented Falcon Transport a Department of Defense certificate of appreciation and a Patriot lapel pin at the company's Youngstown headquarters today.

  "It's an honor not only to receive this recognition from the U.S. military, but to support those who serve in our armed forces," said Mark Constantini, executive vice president, Falcon Transport. "We're proud of how our employees' diverse experiences and collective strengths have helped shape the company's culture."

 Shawn Rockett, a company driver from Evansville, Ind., nominated Falcon Transport and his supervisor Cory Pirone, a driver manager in Youngstown, for the award. PFC Rockett has served for two years in the Army National Guard's F-Company 113th FSC out of Terre Haute, Ind.

 ESGR credits civilian employers that play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component, which comprises nearly 48 percent of the total available military manpower.

 Falcon Transport, based in Youngstown, provides dry van dedicated, van OTR, flatbed and brokerage transportation services. Falcon Transport, with 100 employees locally and 850 regionally, is a process-focused company supplying "just-in-time" service to numerous automotive, steel and general goods suppliers and manufacturers.

 As the 1.1 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation. For more information regarding ESGR, visit www.esgr.mil.