| Larry R. Garner |
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SFC Larry "LG" Garner was a highly accomplished Soldier and devoted family man with over 23 years of military service. He was born in Smithfield, N.C. on January 14, 1970, to Larry and Judy Garner where he grew up developing an eternal bond with his younger brother Allen, a relationship he cherished throughout his life as an older brother and mentor. Larry's devotion as a family man grew when he married Michelle and took on new meaning with the birth of their three children; Lauren, Lorenzo and Logan. To Larry, being a loving, dedicated father was the greatest mission of all and he embraced it with all the pride and love he had. Ranger Garner started his Army career in 1988, enlisting as an infantryman with 3/75th Ranger Regiment and was a veteran of numerous combat tours including Operation Just Cause in Panama, Task Force Ranger in Somalia and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In every instance Ranger Garner met the challenge and proved himself worthy as both a Ranger and a man; strong in the face of adversity and a truly dedicated brother in arms.In later years "LG" joined the Vermont Army National Guard and became an instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School and the Infantry Training Branch. His "hands on," old school training of Soldiers was a throwback to his Ranger Regiment days. He enjoyed the bark at a trainee's mistake but truly relished the quiet teaching that immediately followed. It was one of the characteristics that made him both a highly respected instructor and outstanding mentor.Regardless of the location, circumstance or student "LG" met every training opportunity with the highest amount of commitment. He embraced the chance to train all who wanted to learn including soldiers in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen and other mountainous countries. His forward, honest way bridged cultural and language barriers wherever he traveled. Whether teaching mountain skills or sniper techniques, SFC Garner displayed the highest caliber of commitment to every task.SFC Garner's many accomplishments include: US Army Ranger School, Airborne School, Canadian High Angle Rescue Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, JFK SP Warfare School ITC, Tactical Training Urban Operations Course, High Risk Personnel Security, Sniper Employment Leader Course, Tactical Tracking Operations School, Rigging for Rescue, USMC Mountain Sniper Course, Winter Assault Climber Course, and climbing Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. He trained right, he trained hard and he delivered when it counted. His devotion to training Soldiers lives on with the AMWS Mountain Rifleman Course, an initiative he personally led the charge for and dedicated much of his time and effort towards.SFC Garner's awards and decorations include: Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Rams Head Device, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - 2, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Good Conduct Medal - 4, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal - 2, Army Reserves Component Overseas Training Ribbon - 3, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, Vermont Duty Ribbon - 3, Vermont Service Ribbon - 2, Vermont Good Conduct Ribbon - 3, Vermont Outstanding Unit Award."LG" was a son, brother, husband and father. He was a Soldier's Soldier, a mountaineer and a Ranger to the core. He was a brother to us all, and is deeply missed. We are diminished by his absence but stronger from his time with us. |
