[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COLONEL MARK C. GARDNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2013

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel 
Mark C. Gardner and to recognize his lifetime of service to our 
country.
   On June 28, Col. Gardner 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. Gardner'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. Gardner 
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. Gardner 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. Gardner for devoting his life to the upholding the 
Constitution of the United States and to the protection of its 
citizens. I wish him a happy--and well-deserved--retirement.

                          ____________________