Bunnell, Florida – The Florida Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today the Dr. Chris Pryor, Principal, Matanzas High School of Flagler County Board of Education was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee(s) who serve in the Florida National Guard and Reserves.
According to Phillip Speake ESGR Florida Chairman, “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Dr. Chris Pryor, Principal of Matanzas High School was nominated for being highly supportive of the (National Guard or Reserve Service) by SPC Leona Brown, Physical Education Teacher Reserve Component employee.  Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”
SPC Leona Brown said; Dr. Chris Pyror, Matanzas High School faculty, staff and student body were so supportive during my deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom. My athletic teams along with my colleagues sent myself and my unit care packages for the whole term of my deployment. I received email updates of the school and county functions. Matanzas High School and the surrounding community went above and beyond normal call of duty ti ensure that a little piece of home was sent to me. I was also blessed to receive my pay that I lost due to being deployed. I am very thankful for the Faculty, Staff, Students and Community of Matanzas High School and Flagler County.
As the 32 thousand members of the National Guard and Reserve in Florida and Nationally 1.3 million members continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at Floridaesgr.com, or by calling Doug Corbett, Program Support Specialist of the Florida ESGR Committee, at 904-823-0172.