American Legion Awards John Blanchard with “Employer of the Year” Award

The following press release has been sent by NASA Edcuation:

Local Business Owner and Nonprofit Leader received State and National Recognition by a Prominent Veteran Service Organization

CRYSTAL LAKE – John Blanchard, executive director of NASA Education Corporation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company has been recognized and was presented with the 2008 Economic Commission of the American Legion, Department of Illinois, Employer of the Year and 2008 National Economic Commission of the American Legion National Outstanding Achievement Award for the employment of veterans.

Mr. Blanchard attended the countywide meeting of McHenry County Council of American Legion veteran service organizations and was presented the two plaques by Robert Howe, McHenry County Council Commander on Thursday, August 28th at American Legion Post #1231 in Lake in the Hills, IL. His unselfish contributions and humanitarian efforts made towards our military heroes that are now either newly returned, displaced, disabled, homeless, or are otherwise in transition were key factors during the selection process. NASA Education’s main program, Project Fresh Start offers a community and workforce reintegration program that includes free housing, transportation, and training.

Blanchard, who served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, is a true leader and veteran advocate assisting his brothers and sisters of the military that have fallen on hard times.

In addition, Mr. Blanchard’s continued success as a business owner is a true testimony of how a veteran himself, who for a short time was one of those less fortunate returnees, could take his final paycheck and through determination and a very strong faith create not one but two successful profitable, international companies:

The National Association of System Administrators, Inc. (NASA, Inc.) a leading provider of hardware maintenance, co-location and disaster recovery services, founded in 1994 and National Association of System Administrators Corporation (NASA Corp.), a software development company founded in 997.

Mr. Blanchard is a lifetime member of the Carpentersville, Illinois, VFW Post 5915 where he serves as the Post Commander. He is also a member of the American Legion Post #1231 in Lake in the Hills, IL.

When asked to comment on what the awards meant to him, Mr. Blanchard commented, “It is nice to be recognized on what we do, but that isn’t what drives me and my company to do what we do. The drive comes from deep within and realizing the importance of assisting and making not only our nations heroes more aware of their rights and benefits, but also to raise awareness within the community that homelessness does exist. With just a little effort, we can make a huge impact the lives of those that fought for our freedom and now have fallen on hard times.”

In 2005 John was presented with the Rear Admiral Kevin F. Delaney (ret.) “Keeping America Strong Award” presented at the Heartbeat of America Television program by mega star William Shatner.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive workforce and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

For more information about NASA Education, please contact Amy Johnson at 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or amy_johnson@nasaeducation.org or visit our website at www.nasaeducation.org.

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Seen with John Blanchard is Robert Howe, McHenry County Council Commander of American Legion.


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