Lt. Udischas receives Patriot Award
Corrections Officer Clay Mercer is pictured with Lt. Charles “Chip” Udischas. Mercer nominated Udischas for the Patriot Award to show his appreciation for how much he supports his military career. (Josie Sellers)
Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Charles “Chip Udischas has always been willing to work with Corrections Officer Clay Mercer’s military schedule and he is very appreciative of that support.
“Every single military leave I’ve ever put in for he’s never questioned me about it,” Mercer said. “I need four weeks to go to the national training center and he didn’t even flinch.”
To show his appreciation, Mercer nominated Udischas for the Patriot Award. The award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a program of the department of defense, was presented to Udischas on March 10 at the sheriff’s office.
“I’ve known Clay since he was 14 when he was in the Boy Scouts,” Udischas said. “I encouraged him to join the military and he’s an MP like I was and is in my old unit (447th Military Police Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit). This is very humbling. I can remember when I was a reservist back there working in the jail. Clay is an exceptional young man and a good leader. To be recognized by someone like that speaks volumes.”
Mercer started with the sheriff’s office in November 2015. He began his military career in September 2014 and is now a private first class. Udischas is in his 20th year with the sheriff’s office. He spent eight years and one month in the reserves and earned the rank of staff sergeant. Udischas currently oversees the jail where Mercer works second shift.
Lt. Charles “Chip” Udischas received the Patriot Award. The award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a program of the department of defense, was presented to Udischas on March 10 at the sheriff’s office. (Josie Sellers)
Helping present the award to Udischas was Beth Jackson, state ombudsman director for ESGR. She shared Mercer’s nomination form with the group gathered at the sheriff’s office.
“Clay nominated his supervisor because he has been nothing but supportive of his military service since he began working at the sheriff’s office,” Jackson said.
Udischas is more than happy to help because he knows first-hand how much that support means.
“I went through two deployments after 9-11 when I was working here and never had to worry about having something to come back to,” he said. “I’m happy to give back.”
Udischas added that the national guard and reservist play a critical role in defending our nation. Jackson agreed stating that 49 percent of our military force is guardsmen and reservist.
Mercer is one of two sheriff’s office employees serving his country and there are 21 who have served in the past.
Category: People & Places
