(Tallahassee, FL)  “The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has been supportive of my military service and I would like to nominate them for an ESGR Patriot Award,” wrote 1st Lt. Peter Bennett in his Patriot Award Nomination.

The platoon leader for the 421st Quartermaster Company and web application developer for FDLOE was given the chance to say thank you this week at the Governor’s office in Tallahassee, Florida. 1st Lt. Bennett presented a flag flown over Bagram, Afghanistan to Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric Smith. Florida ESGR Chair COL (Ret) Phillip Speake and Orlando ESGR Representative Suzanne Godfrey presented a Patriot Award to the Governor and the Commissioner.

Bennett nominated his employer for the Patriot Award because of the outstanding support he says he was given during his deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“They did a great job supporting me while I was deployed,” Bennett said. “They made it easy for me to go and come back to my job, which was fantastic. It is important to recognize them for making our lives easier. I was paid one month's salary from my employer to help with the transition to my deployment to Afghanistan. This helped me out a lot during that time period,” Bennett added

Bennett says FDLOE employees were in contact with him via e-mail while he was deployed and even remembered his birthday. He said that contact was a boost to his morale.

“The process to begin working again upon my return from deployment was painless.  I just had to fill out and sign a couple forms.  All I had to do after that was just show up for work again and was working in the same position I had prior to my deployment.  Upon my return to work, the FLDOE placed signs in the elevators and in the main lobby welcoming me back,” Bennett went on to write in his nomination letter.

Florida Chair COL (Ret) Phillip Speake says Bennett’s employers are supportive of the military and hopes more employers take the time to embrace the military and help build a team alongside Soldiers and their Families.

The Florida Department of Education has a permanent display titled "Wall of Heroes" in their main lobby honoring FLDOE employees and family of FLDOE employees that are serving in the military. 

For more information on ESGR, please contact Beth Sherman at 703-380-9717.