The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization, awarded it's Above and Beyond Award to Merrill Lynch's Jupiter Resident Director John Coleman and Complex Director Brad Smithy for their unwavering support of Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Shawn Rasmussen during his two year deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.

The award was presented by David Bludworth, former State of Florida Attorney General and current ESGR National Spokesman. Mr. Bludworth commented that the Above and Beyond award is a higher level award and qualifies Merrill Lynch for possible ESGR national recognition. ESGR's Above and Beyond award is intended to honor the employers of Reserve Component members who have gone above and beyond the requirement of the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Shawn Rasmussen, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, was mobilized for two years and served at Fort Stewart, GA. Rasmussen's duties involved leading a team that mobilized and demobilized over 6,000 Soldiers on the way to or returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also responsible for exercising command and control for those Soldiers injured in theater and for overseeing their care and recovery. His wife Renee and two young children, Jack (8) and Zoë (6) supported him during his deployment.

The largest units to demobilize during Rasmussen's tenure were the 53 rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from the Florida National Guard and the 48th BCT of the Georgia National Guard. Both units served with distinction. The 53rd BCT with over 1,500 Soldiers served in Afghanistan and the 4,000 Soldier strong 48th BCT served in Iraq. During his two year tour, he saw the return and the third redeployment of the 3rd Infantry Division, 3ID, home based at Fort Stewart, GA. The 3ID is a significant part of the current surge in Iraq.

Shawn Rasmussen returns to work at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor where he provides investment, wealth management, retirement, banking and lending services to provide clients with a lifetime of solutions based on their total financial picture. Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies, with offices in 38 countries and territories and total client assets of approximately $1.7 trillion.