Army recognizes Lynch in retirement

Lt. Col. Brian Lynch, a native of Cape Girardeau, recently retired after a 27-year career in the U.S. Army. At a ceremony he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal, a U.S. flag that had flown over the Capitol building, a plaque from the Joint Task Force Civil Support unit and letters of appreciation from U.S. presidents and secretaries of defense and the army.

He served two combat tours in Iraq -- Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom -- and assignments in Germany, Bosnia, Croatia and South Korea. Additional awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Joint Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, campaign and expeditionary medals, Combat Action Badge and airborne and air assault badges.

Lynch was commissioned into the Army Chemical Corps in 1987 from Southeast Missouri State University as a distinguished military graduate; he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southeast and a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Son of Germaine and the late Calvin Lynch of Cape Girardeau, he is a graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School and married to the former Bonnie Gronowski. They are the parents of sons Justin and Derek.