The Department of Defense has announced that Gene Lumsden and his company Legacy Sports International, LLC will receive the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Legacy Sports International was selected as one of only 15 employers out of 2500 nominations from across the nation to receive the 2010 Freedom Award.  Legacy Sports International is also a recipient of the ESGR Pro Patria Award and is a strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

“With 2010 marking the 15th anniversary of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, it gives me great pleasure to announce this year’s recipients,” said James G. Rebholz, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) National Chairman. “Legacy Sports International and this year’s other recipients are among the top U.S. employers that provide outstanding support for Guard and Reserve employees. Their superior and unselfish initiatives to support their Guard and Reserve employees make them indispensable partners in the defense efforts of this country. We are truly grateful for their unwavering support.”

On behalf of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a National Selection Board comprised of senior defense officials, business leaders and prior Freedom Award recipients selected the 2010 Freedom Award honorees. Legacy Sports International was nominated by Boone Cutler their credit manager and author of “Voodoo in Sadr City”. With a staff of 16, including three Veterans, Legacy Sports International imports firearms and shooting accessories. The nominator, who was injured while serving in Iraq before becoming a Legacy Sports International employee, was hired by Gene Lumsden while still recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and given full pay throughout the rehabilitation process.

The Freedom Award will be presented to Gene Lumsden of Legacy Sports International during a formal ceremony Thursday, September 23, 2010 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

Some past recipients of the award include: McDonnell Douglas, The State of Louisiana, American Express, United Parcel Service Airlines, Miller Brewing Company, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and The Choctaw Nation.