By CONNIE PICKETT
GLASGOW — Will Gardner lived his young life wanting to be a soldier. After graduating from high school that dream became a reality when he joined the United States Army and became a member of the 101st Airborne.
At the age of 22, Gardner's dream ended Monday in Iraq.
In a press release issued by the Department of Defense on Tuesday afternoon, the military said Gardner died Monday from a noncombat-related cause. A spokesperson at Fort Campbell said Gardner died of a non-hostile gunshot wound.
Gardner is survived by his wife, Lisa Roberts-Gardner, and stepdaughters, Taylor and Brooklyn Roberts, of Clarksville, Tenn., his parents, James and Anne Gardner, of Glasgow, and a brother and sister, Sam and Carly.
The family has chosen not to speak publicly about Gardner’s death, but did issue the following statement this morning: “During a time of overwhelming grief, we have received reaffirmation of the love and loyalty for which this community is known. Will was a good son and brother and he was a good soldier.
“We appreciate the support and prayers we are receiving from so many sources — the 101st Airborne, our church family, our neighbors, our loved ones and our co-workers. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.”
The statement was signed by Jim, Anne, Sam and Carly Gardner.
A memorial service will be held in Iraq. He is the 35th service member with Kentucky hometowns of record to die in Iraq since the war began.
Two other members of the 101st were killed over the weekend in Iraq. There have been 141 members of the Airborne division killed in Iraq since the war began more than three years ago.
The Public Affairs Office at Fort Campbell said this morning that anytime a non-hostile death occurs it will be investigated by the Army. Kelly Tyler, with the 101st public affairs office, said the investigation could take anywhere from weeks to months and once completed the information would be released to the family of the fallen soldier.
As news of Gardner’s death reached his hometown Monday night, word quickly spread through the community.
Most who knew Gardner said he had always dreamed of being a soldier.
Teachers, former employers and friends recalled the many times as a teen, Gardner would talk about his goal of someday serving his country as a member of the military.
Steve Tyree was youth minister at the Columbia Avenue Church of Christ when he first met Gardner, who was in the fifth grade at the time. For the next eight years Gardner and his church mentor would form a bond that lasted until his death.
Tyree, who now works at Greenwood Park Church of Christ in Bowling Green, said Gardner would come to visit him when he was home.
“He always wanted to be a soldier,” he said.
Tyree reflected Tuesday about a time Gardner ran in a marathon, dressed in fatigues and combat boots.
“He wanted to run as a soldier and finish as a soldier,” he said. “I have run in marathons and it’s hard enough to run in running shoes, much less in combat boots. That was Will’s type of dedication and determination.”
Tyree left the Glasgow church and moved to Bowling Green the year that Gardner graduated from Glasgow High School.
The news of Gardner's death was a shock for all who knew him, said Tyree.
“I have cried every time I have thought about Will today,” he said.
The Church of Christ minister said he knew Gardner as a disciplined young man, very focused, someone who worked hard to achieve his goals.
“He was independent, he wasn’t one to follow the crowd. He was serious, never the loud one in the group, but could also be funny and humorous,” he said.
“He was always more serious than others in his age group.”
His love for the military and all it stood for played a vital role in Gardner’s respect for others. “He worked very hard to gain the respect of his peers, his mentors and his family,” Tyree said. “That was important to him. There are a lot of 30- and 40-year-old men today who could learn from Will Gardner on how to be a man.
“He would come to Bowling Green and visit with me. We would always pray together. He always prayed for God’s guidance in the stress that he had to live with being in the military.”
Gardner was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell.
He joined the Army in March 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2003.
His awards and decorations include: Weapons Qualification, M4, expert; Army Service Ribbon; Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
