Caterpillar is being recognized for its exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees. The heavy equipment maker headquartered in Peoria is one of 15 companies to receive the 2012 secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  Cat was nominated by a member of the Marine Corp Reserves who reported the company employs more than 100 Guard and Reserve members. Cat also has an Armed Forces Support Network to support employees' families when called to duty and  recruits military personnel through programs including the Illinois Warriors Career fair. Caterpillar was chosen from a field of more than 32-hundred nominees.