ATLANTA, Ga. -- State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox was awarded the U.S. Army's Freedom Team Salute commendation April 2 at the Georgia Department of Education for supporting members of the military and their Families.

Cox and two other GaDOE staff members received a pin, a certificate and a letter of commendation from Pete Geren, secretary of the Army, and Gen. George W. Casey Jr., chief of staff of the Army.

"As Soldiers serve, the support of Families and communities sustains them so they can do what must be done to protect our freedoms," reads the letter. "Our nation would not have the service of Soldiers without your support and patriotism. As an Army supporter, you make a difference to our Soldiers and to our country."

The commendations were presented by Col. Deborah B. Grays, U.S. Army Garrison commander. Commendations were also given to Buck Hilliard, GaDOE's liaison to the State Board of Education, and Lynn Roberts, the administrative assistant for the State Board.

Cox said she was honored by the recognition, but it is the Soldiers and their Families who deserve the highest praise.

She commended Georgia's schools and school systems for doing all they can to support thousands of military families in Georgia and throughout the nation.

"As a state, we want to make sure we do everything we can to support our Soldiers and their Families," Cox said. "Our Soldiers can feel confident that their children are being educated and cared for in Georgia schools so these brave men and women can face the difficult tasks before them."

Freedom Team Salute was launched in May 2005 to recognize U.S. Army veterans, spouses, employers and community members who have significantly contributed to supporting Army Soldiers and the Army's mission.

For more information, visit the Freedom Team Salute Web site at www.freedomteamsalute.org.

Over the past several years, the state of Georgia has enacted policies and procedures to make it easier for the students of Soldiers to attend Georgia schools and transfer to and from Georgia schools.