The Sun City Center Chapter of The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) recognized Sheriff Chad Chronister and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard with two distinguishable awards on Monday, August 3.
During a ceremony at the Sheriff's Operations Center in Ybor City, military veterans presented Sheriff Chronister with the Silver Patrick Henry Award for Patriotic Achievement, the highest award the MOWW can give.
The award is in recognition of Sheriff Chronister's brainchild, the Veterans Resurgence Program. The program, which launched in 2019 at the Falkenburg Road Jail, focuses on stopping recidivism among military veterans by providing them with resources including group therapy sessions, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and access to services that will help them start over upon release.
"While serving as the Sheriff, you have instilled pride within and outside of the Office through continuing a recruitment and selection program that allows Veterans to go from serving their country to serving their community," said Retired LtCol. Charles Conover, Commander of the Sun City Center MOWW.
Under Sheriff Chronister's leadership, HCSO has greatly expanded its efforts to recruit and hire U.S. military veterans, increasing the number of veterans hired by 23% last year alone. The Office also proudly supports deputies who have chosen to serve their country on two fronts, both as law enforcement officers and military members.
"Being raised by my grandfather, a World War II Marine Veteran, I've always had a fondness and appreciation for people who served and sacrificed for our country. This makes today's award such a special honor, and I will always do whatever I can to help our veterans," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
The HCSO Honor Guard was also presented the Merit Award for Outstanding Service for their continued involvement in Memorial Day ceremonies and their efforts to take part in escorts for military members who have died for their country.
The MOWW was created in 1919 as a fraternity for American military officers coming out of the Great War. It welcomes members in current military service, retired military service or former military service from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, and peacetime service.
