The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. nominated Patty Baker McElroy and SFC (Ret) Scott McElroy for the James Edward Oglethorpe Award.
On June 4, 2016, the Oglethorpe Award was presented to the McElroys by Brig General Joe Jarrard and the National Guard Association of Georgia at the 68th Annual NGAGA Banquet Dinner at the Evergreen Marriott-Stone Mountain. The Oglethorpe Award is designed to provide recognition to civic leaders, local and state officials, who distinguish themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to Georgia Nation Guard military services, the National Guard of the National Guard Association of Georgia.
Patty and Scott exemplify outstanding and exceptional service to the Georgia National Guard.
Scott entered the U.S. Navy in 1992 and transitioned to the Georgia Army National Guard in 2000. He was deployed multiples times, was wounded in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and awarded the Purple Heart Medal and returned home in 2006. He deployed again in 2009 to Afghanistan with B Troop, 1-108 CAV, 48th Infantry Brigade. Deployments to Beirut and Kosovo followed in 2011 when he reinjured wounds sustained in 2005 and was medevac’d to Landsthul, Germany and then on to Ft Gordon GA. Ultimately those injuries forced him to retire from his military career after 22 years.
Patty is an elected official in Cherokee County, GA where she has served as Clerk of Courts for Superior, State, Juvenile and Magistrate Courts since 2005.
She holds a master’s degree in applied behavioral psychology and is currently matriculating for a second master’s degree in criminal justice and court administration. She has earned numerous awards and nominations including the ECLAT Award for Exceptional, Commitment, Leadership, Accomplishment and Teamwork. She has served or is currently serving on various charity and non-profit organizations, including the Youth Challenge Academy Foundation.
Patty and Scott are both very involved in giving back to military support organizations. Since 2013, they have organized the Half Marathon, Ruck and 5K event in Canton, GA and they have designated the Georgia National Guard Foundation as its charity partner to help the soldiers and airmen of the Georgia National Guard facing financial hardships.
