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TO CONGRATULATE BRIGADIER GENERAL RALPH DOUGLAS "DOUG" GARDNER, RETIRED, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Brigadier General Ralph Douglas "Doug" Gardner, Retired, celebrated this important milestone on December 24, 2019; and
Whereas, a native of Lancaster County, General Gardner was born on December 24, 1939 in the small farming community of Flat Creek to the late Doctor Frank Gardner and Thelma Mayo Byrd Gardner. He was one of thirteen children; and
Whereas, General Gardner is an alumnus of Liberty University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, Central Wesleyan University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration, and the State of South Carolina Executive Institute; and
Whereas, he has had an esteemed military career spanning thirty-seven years with the United States Army, during which he served as the Battery and Battalion Commander for the 3/178 FA Battalion in Lancaster; as a Chief of Staff of the South Carolina Army National Guard; and as the controller in NATO war-time planning exercises in Egypt, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Honduras, Japan, South Korea, and numerous other countries. He was also instrumental in leading the South Carolina Army National Guard response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Hugo in 1989; and
Whereas, over the years, General Gardner has received many honors and awards, including two Army Achievement Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the State of South Carolina Humanitarian and Meritorious Service Medal, the United States Military Legion of Merit Award and Medal, and the Order of the Palmetto; and
Whereas, a proverbial pillar of the Lancaster community for many years, he has dedicated countless hours to civic causes and has been involved with a number of organizations, including the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of Lancaster Dixie Youth Baseball, Board of Directors for Clearwave Corporation in Atlanta, American Legion, DAV, Lancaster Lions Club, Jackson Masonic Lodge, and Lancaster Shag Club; and
Whereas, a man of devout faith, he is currently a member of the First Baptist Church of Lancaster and was formerly a longtime former member of Flat Creek Baptist Church; and
Whereas, General Gardner lives in Surfside Beach with his wife of fifty-seven years, the former Harriet Ann Hough. He is tremendously proud of his two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Susan Gardner and W. Stephen and Stacey Gardner, as well as his three grandchildren, Amethyst, Lex, and Gabrielle; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly takes great pleasure in honoring this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his eightieth birthday and is pleased to join with his family and friends in congratulating him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate Brigadier General Ralph Douglas "Doug" Gardner, Retired, on the occasion of his eightieth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Brigadier General Ralph Douglas "Doug" Gardner, Retired.
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