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James W. Gardner |
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Tuesday, April 11 2006 @ 11:35 PM EDT
Contributed by: River97
Views: 635
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 /www.glasgowdailytimes.com -- GLASGOW — News spread quickly through Glasgow today that one of the community’s own had been killed in Iraq.
A spokeswoman for the family confirmed this morning that 22-year-old Will Gardner, a member of the 101st Airborne based in Fort Campbell, had died.
Military authorities had not released details of Gardner’s death by press time today.
The 2002 Glasgow High School graduate was the son of James H. and Anne K. Gardner.
He also attended Glasgow Christian Academy and was a member of the Columbia Avenue Church of Christ.
Some of Gardner’s former teachers at Glasgow High School recalled a dedicated and mannerly student whose goal was to be a member of the Armed Forces.
Anne Patterson had Gardner for two years as a math student in Algebra II and Advanced Topics. She remembered him not enjoying the subject, yet still taking it very seriously because of its importance to someone wanting to be involved with the military.
“He was 16 when he first expressed interest in joining the military,” she said. “He would come by daily to do extra work to develop the math skills he needed for the military.”
Patterson saw Gardner’s passion for wanting to serve his country as an inspiration to her. She hoped the same dedication toward a life goal is something that trickles down to her current students.
“I hope they have the same passion for something like Will did,” she said.
As a teen, Gardner worked at Greer’s Florist after school and on Saturdays. Co-owner Cathy Doty described Gardner as a “sweet person, who often baby-sat for her kids.”
Gardner began working at the florist as a teen and worked there until graduation from high school.
Community members wishing to express their condolences to the Gardner family are being asked not to visit at this time. A sign on the front door of the Gardner’s home advised that the family is not accepting visitors, but thanked them for coming by.
Glasgow Mayor Darrell Pickett said as soon as the official news from the military of Gardner’s death has been received all city flags will be lowered to half-staff. A spokesperson at Fort Campbell said that the military waits 24 hours after the initial notification of the family before releasing any details on soldier deaths.
That information was not available at press time today.
Pickett said he knew the young man personally and that the news of his death came as a great shock in Glasgow.
“Will was a fine young man, someone this community could be very proud of,” he said.
Last year, the City of Glasgow adopted a unit from Fort Campbell to support during their deployment in Iraq. The mayor said to his knowledge Gardner was not a member of that unit.
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I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Wings Of The Eagle!"(101st Avn. Motto)