VIDEO: In late August, the Council Bluffs Fire Department will be recognized in Washington at the Pentagon for their support of National Guard and Army Reserve members.
The award is the highest U.S. government honor for employers supporting current and former service members. The Council Bluffs Fire Department is one of 15 recipients of the 2024 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, being selected from over 17,000 nominations from employers across all 50 states.
Firefighter Anthony Wojtalewicz, who also serves as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, led the effort by nominating the Council Bluffs Fire Department for the 2024 Freedom Award.
"I'm excited for the Council Bluffs Fire Department to have representation in the Pentagon. Even myself, after being in the service for 18 years, I've never seen the Pentagon,” Wojtalewicz said.