Ira Gardner Receives War Service Medal

As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, resident Ira Gardner was recognized by the Maryland State Society of SAR at their annual George Washington Luncheon held at the Towson Golf and Country Club Resort this past Saturday. His military service was recognized by the State President, David Hoover, with the War Service Medal and Certificate presented and accepted in his absence, by his daughter, Liz Deering.

The history of the War Service Medal was that it was first authorized in 1899 for members who had served in the War with Spain. Subsequently, specific War Service Medals were authorized for World War I and World War II service. A final Bronze War Service Medal was authorized for those who had served in the armed forces of the United States and fought against a common enemy in a war or action that had been recognized by a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and for which a campaign medal and ribbon were authorized.

SAR is a "lineage" society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. The Society's goals are to promote and preserve history, patriotism and education.

Ira Gardner is a direct descendent of Ensign Benjamin Gardner (1746-1832) who served in the Revolutionary War in Rhode Island, guarding Narragansett Bay under Colonel Dyer. Benjamin subsequently received a pension for his service and lived the remainder of his life in Slocum, Rhode Island. His son, Wilber Gardner, married and moved to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where the family stayed in the greater Scranton area, until Ira & Peggy came to live at Country Meadows of Frederick!

"Pretty neat stuff...", said daughter Liz Deering.