[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING COLONEL MARK C. GARDENER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2013

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel 
Mark C. Gardener and to recognize his lifetime of service to our 
country.
   On June 28, Col. Gardener will retire from the Georgia National 
Guard after thirty years of sacrifice and service to this great nation.
   While he currently serves as the Georgia National Guard's State 
Inspector General, he has worked in many different capacities. In 1983, 
Col. Gardener's first assignment was with U.S. Army Missile Command, 
and he has since been assigned to infantry, maintenance, and forward 
support duties across the world. His career has taken him to Korea, 
Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, and several military installations here in 
the United States.
   For his distinguished leadership throughout his career, Col. 
Gardener has been awarded with decorations like the Legion of Merit 
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the 
Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army 
Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War 
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Service Medal, 
the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
   Col. Gardener has played an invaluable role in the U.S. Armed Forces 
for decades and he will surely be missed.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 11th District of Georgia, my deepest 
thanks to Col. Gardener for devoting his life the upholding the 
Constitution of the United States and to the protection of its 
citizens. I wish him a happy--and well-deserved--retirement.

                          ____________________