Western Systems & Fabrication Inc. is among three Washington state semifinalists for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Award.

The award given to 15 companies each year recognizes employers for their support of National Guard and Reserve members.

They may support their deployed employees by supplementing military wages, maintaining benefts, or sending care packages.

The other Washington semifinalists are Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, Seattle, and the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

Western Systems is located in Spokane Valley.

Service members nominated 4,049 companies, with 148 becoming semifinalists. That number will be cut to 30, then the final 15, who will be named later this month. 

Companies in Cheney, Spokane and Spokane Valley were nominated today for an award that recognizes private and public organizations for exceptional support for Washington Guard and Reserve members.

The local nominees announced are Haakon Industries of Cheney, Dorosh Dental and Spokane Emergency Physicians of Spokane, and Spalding Auto Parts and Western Systems & Fabrication Inc. of Spokane Valley.

They are among 90 employers  nominated statewide for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Reward.

Nominees have supported Guard and Reserve members by providing continued benefits, differential pay and family assistance.

Winners will be announced this summer, and receive their award at a Sept. 22 ceremony in Washington, D.C.