Jim Fair
Greer Police Chief Dan Reynolds is presented the Patriot Award from Ron Copsey of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The commendation is for recognition of supervisors of Reserve Component members.
Wingard was in fact called to duty and he joined a list of Greer police staff that has served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Several members of Police Chief Dan Reynolds’ staff have served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan and they all have come home to resume their job with the police department.
Reynolds received the Patriot Award this morning, from Ret. Air Force Colonel Ron Copses, a commendation from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for recognition of supervisors of Reserve Component members. Wingard, a sergeant in A Company, 4-118th Infantry Battalion SCNG, recommended Reynolds for the honor.
Wingard attended his first day at the Police Academy and wasn’t present at today’s ceremony at the Police Department.
Wingard’s recommendation, written last November read: “The City of Greer Police Department has been a blessing for my family and me. They gave me the opportunity to join them knowing that I was a member of the National Guard and were fully aware that I may have to deploy at any time. When the call came in about my current deployment, the first thing they wanted to know was, how they could help me and my family. The department assured me that even though I hadn’t been a member for very long, that I had a place with them and that they would help my family if they needed it.”
Copses, in presenting Reynolds the award, said, “ESGR’s primary mission is to develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. Employer support allows members of the Reserves to carry out their mission and the employer support is also a direct contribution to our national defense. Whether we serve our county or we support those who do, we all serve.”
Reynolds said, “This is an honor received by me for my department. The service and experience they get with the training carries through in the department.”
Reynolds joined the Army out of high school in 1966, graduated Artillery Officer Candidates School in 1967 and left the service in 1972 with the rank of Captain.
Copsey said since Sept. 11, 2011 almost 860,000 reserve component members have been called to active duty for various lengths of service. There are 90,000 on active duty. He said South Carolina has approximately 11,500 in the Army and Air National Guard.