| Honoring Colonel Mark C. Gardner |
May 22, 2013 |
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Phil Gingrey, R-GA
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"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."
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| Additional Statements |
May 22, 2013 |
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Jon Tester, D-MT
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"Bill’s last assignment was part of a five-man Active-Duty staff for Reserve Construction Battalion 13 at Camp Smith, Peekskill, NY. Before he retired, Bill received both the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the Long and Faithful Service Medal."
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| Additional Statements |
May 16, 2013 |
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Bob Casey, D-PA
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"Lieutenant General Barbero has honorably served his country for more than three decades. Since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1976 as an infantry officer, LTG Barbero has commanded troops at every level. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served 4 years in Iraq over three separate tours. From 2003-2004, he served as the assistant division commander of the 4th Infantry Division. He next served in Iraq as the deputy chief of staff, Strategic Operations at Multi-National Force-Iraq during “the surge” in 2007 and 2008. Immediately prior to his time as director of JIEDDO, he was deployed in Iraq for a final time from 2009-2011. During this deployment, Lieutenant General Barbero was responsible for the training, equipping, and development of all Iraqi security forces and building the ministerial capabilities of both the Ministries of Interior and Defense, while serving simultaneously as the commander of Multi-National Security and Transition Command-Iraq and the commander of the NATO Training Mission-Iraq. Among his many decorations, Lieutenant General Barbero has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal."
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| Honoring Terry Edward Massey |
May 15, 2013 |
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Jeb Hensarling, R-TX
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"Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize Corporal Terry Edward Massey. Corporal Massey served in the United States Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946. A few months after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on November 4, 1943. Corporal Massey served in the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima. After landing at Iwo Jima, Corporal Massey helped a wounded fellow Marine take cover in a shell hole. Near the end of the battle, Corporal Massey said, “Surviving Iwo Jima without getting injured was like walking through rain without getting wet.” During his years of service, Corporal Massey received a Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Japan), China Liberation Ribbon, and Marine Corps Sharpshooter Badge. He was discharged on May 10, 1946. Now at age 87, Fmr. Corporal Massey still remembers his M1 Rifle number: 1434919 and serial number: 919497. He remains a true patriot whose fervent prayer is that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be able to grow up and live in the America he has always known and fought to protect. Humbly, I echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, “We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free.” And humbly, I offer my sincere gratitude to Corporal Massey for his service and acts of bravery that allow us the freedoms we enjoy today."
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