Derrell Douglas Gardner Jr

[Richard]

I agree - Gardner is toast - and if he's elected - well, I would then have to say that he and Fort Myers deserve each other.

Richard's $.02

[BoMcCormick]

It appears as though someone who goes under the username of
MMoore has a personnal bone to pick with me and has been taking information form this forum and my posts here and posting them in the News-Press blogs in regard to Mr. Gardner. MMoore has questioned my qualications and also is attempting to make the SFMC, INC. look like a bunch of hoodlums posting criminal records of myself and our president Vernon Brown. He fails to tell the public, however, that neither of the charges were ever prosecuted. If anyone know's who MMoore I would appreciate an introduction. MMoore you are taking the spot light off Mr. Gardner and trying to put it on me and our organization. So here you go MMoore..

FOR THE RECORD: I had several MOS' while I served in the military 16C, 76D, 76K, 12B, and 76Y.
Both of the later 2, 12B and 76Y had the suffix "S" at the end indicating Special Forces Qualified. I did not retire from the military and contary to a rumor around the communtiy I was not a Colonel and contrary to what has been written in these blogs here (Fort Myers News-Press) I was not a E8 Master Sgt, or above. I was a SGT E-5 when I was separated from the military. I have a Honorable Discharge hanging on the wall of my office dated March 15, 1971, a Certificate from the Special Forces Association and Life Time member of that organization, and a letter from the President of the United States of America for the Volunteer's Service Award. I also have numerous cerificates that qualify me for a number of things but by far of all the information that I have stated above, having that "S" at the end of my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is one that I am the most proud of.

As far as an assumption, that was yours. I have to assume that you were not in the military during the time that proficiency tests were given.

I also have to assume that you are trying to make the SFMC, INC. look bad.
In all fairness, you really should tell everyone that Vern Brown's charges were never prosecuted and neither were mine but I guess that doesn't fit into you plan. I don't know why but I would guess it is for some personal reasons.

That's too bad because the club does allot to help the Special Forces Warrior Foundation and some other charities like "Paws for Patriots" who provide service dogs for our blind and handicapped.

Well now you have my record.. check it out. I believe the SFA has a copy of my DA Form 20. You should find everything right there.

Now I will continue with taking care of my family business. Look for more from you when I return.
Have a great day,

[Richard]

These came from the WatchBlog from the News-Press:

Special Forces veteran questions whether Gardner violated federal law
Posted 7/14/2009 1:59 PM EDT on news-press.com Prod
A Fort Myers veteran has contacted the FBI about whether Fort Myers mayoral candidate Derrell Gardner violated a federal law against misrepresenting his military background.

Bo McCormick, 64, founder of the nonprofit Special Forces Motorcycle Club, Inc. in Fort Myers, said he requested the FBI research whether Gardner violated the Stolen Valor Act when he wrote on his Web site that he "... went into the U.S. Army for six years where I served in Special Forces."

News-Press background checks revealed Gardner received an Army Service Ribbon and a Parachutist Badge, but not a certificate of completion for the Special Forces course. His rank when he left was private first class.

“What is this guy thinking?" McCormick said. “Did he really think he would get away with this.”

The Stolen Valor Act is a federal law enacted in 2006 that makes it illegal to falsely claim any military decorations and medals. It's unclear whether the act extends to anyone misrepresenting military experience. McCormick said he believes it does, but expects to learn more from the FBI.

Stolen Valor Act cases are ongoing around the country and in Florida where late last month Gary B. Amster pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Tampa to charges that he knowingly and willfully falsely represented himself verbally and in writing to have received the Medal of Honor.

Gardner, 44, did not immediately return messages left on his cell phone today.

McCormick spent three years in Europe in the 1960s as a member of the Green Berets. The nonprofit he founded in 2005 raises awareness and money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

McCormick said his research shows Gardner misrepresented his military experience. He said the issue could be easily cleared up if Gardner provides his discharge papers, something McCormick does not expect Gardner to do.

“For a guy to say he served in Special Forces he damn sure better have done that," McCormick said.

Historian says Gardner could have violated Stolen Valor Act
Posted 7/15/2009 12:05 PM EDT on news-press.com Prod
The man who authored the Stolen Valor Act thinks it is possible Fort Myers mayoral candidate Derrell Gardner could be prosecuted under his act’s guidelines.

Military Historian Doug Sterner said because Gardner would have received a badge, or certification, for completing Army Special Forces training, he could be in violation of the bill.

“My thinking when I wrote the bill ... was because there was a badge associated it was covered,” Sterner said.

The Stolen Valor Act is a federal law enacted in 2006 that makes it illegal to falsely claim any military decorations and medals.

Bo McCormick, 64, founder of the nonprofit Special Forces Motorcycle Club, Inc. in Fort Myers, said he requested the FBI research whether Gardner violated the Stolen Valor Act when he wrote on his Web site that he "... went into the U.S. Army for six years where I served in Special Forces."

But Sterner said it is doubtful the FBI will pursue the case. It gets about 50 cases a week, he said, and what Gardner is claiming is not as extreme as other cases.

“On a scale,” he said, “this would not qualify as extremely egregious.”

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....Id=personaDest

I wonder what Mr Gardener thinks of it all.

Richard's $.02

[greenberetTFS]

50 cases a week......... The FBI has to deal with that many Stolen Valor wannabe's............ I can't believe it,it's simply incredible that so many guys would live off of the "real veterans" who have earned what these POS are claiming... If any of you are reading this now,your a shame to our country...........Beware, we will find you.

Big Teddy

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Richard

These came from the WatchBlog from the News-Press:

I wonder what Mr Gardener thinks of it all.

Richard's $.02

I would guess that he's wondering where "former" Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy, aka Special Forces "Green Beret" fraud, is now working and how much he's making flipping burgers at the local greasy spoon.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299945,00.html

[Enigma0122]

Well, if Mr. Gardner thought or was hoping this would go away. He's obviously wrong.

If these individuals, who try and question the integrity of one of ours (Bo), think this will accomplish that. I would have to say, they have no real knowledge of the special forces mentality.

Let them respond negatively, (Politics) is the name of the game.

Real men don't need others to speak for them. Again, the lack of any open communications from himself (Gardner) is deafening.

All you blowhorns for Gardner keep blowing. Your not doing him any good.

The opponents for the position of mayor, need to take a public stance and ask him to explain.

[Enigma0122]

Bo, MMoore is not taking the spotlight off of Gardner. to the contrary. It refocuses the issue back onto Gardner (the one running for office) Ft. Myers and the surrounding community is a heavy military retirement community. This will not bode well for him.

He will not quit, because he has the aspirations to be in politics. He will try again if unsuccessful. Just suggest he make a name change and make no references to military service in the future.

Sixteen months if active duty (minimum 24 months enlistment option. 36 months for SF minimum) what happened. Why out so early before completing your two (2) year (ACTIVE) service obligation.

If a hardship discharge, nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes individiduals are needed elsewhere ie. take care of a loved sick one.

But, to imply you served six years is misleading. You only completed 16 months of a 2 year enlistment. That means you were on IRR (Individual Ready Reserve status), for a period of 56 months. How many weekends did you drill in that 56 month status, (0) zero. How many times a year did you go to the range to qualify with you weapon (Oh!! you weren't assigned a weapon. (0). Hell, you weren't even assigned to a specific unit/organization.

You were waiting at home for the president to declare War and to activate the IRR because the standing active forces were not large enough to fight that hypothetical war.

I'll give credit for this. You were waiting for that call.

In other words, to the novice who may be reading this, Mr. Gardner most likely did not spend one (1) single day in uniform in the IRR.

Sixteen months and that was it. Look at your discharge. It will have the dates for your active service. Since you were active army. Not a reservist option.

[Team Sergeant]

The Special Forces Association weighs in. That's going to leave a mark.
For all you civilians, the Special Forces Association is the "voice" of Special Forces (aka the Green Berets) outside of SF Command.

Care to make another "Special Forces" claim PFC Gardner?

Team Sergeant


Fort Myers mayoral hopeful's claim may violate law Record shows no Special Forces stint
By Gabriella Souza • gsouza@news-press.com • July 17, 2009

The man who authored the Stolen Valor Act said he believes it is possible Fort Myers mayoral candidate Derrell Gardner could be prosecuted under his law's guidelines.

On his Web site, Gardner claims he was in Special Forces. His military record gives no indication he completed Special Forces training, and former Special Forces soldiers say this shows he never served in the elite unit.

The Stolen Valor Act is a federal law enacted in 2006 that makes it illegal to falsely claim any military decorations and medals.

Military historian Doug Sterner said because Gardner would have received a decoration for completing Army Special Forces training he is in violation of the act.
"My thinking when I wrote the bill ... was because there was a badge associated (a situation such as this) was covered," Sterner said from his home in Pueblo, Colo.

Bo McCormick, 64, founder of the nonprofit Special Forces Motorcycle Club, Inc. in Fort Myers, has requested the FBI research whether Gardner violated the Stolen Valor Act.
Gardner could not be reached for comment Thursday.
His military record gives no indication he completed Special Forces training.

But Sterner said it is doubtful the FBI will pursue the case. It gets about 50 cases a week, he said, and what Gardner is claiming is not as extreme as other cases. Sterner himself only passes on to the FBI one out of every 15 cases he receives.
"On a scale," he said, "this would not qualify as extremely egregious."

Mel Smith disagrees. Smith, the executive director of the North Carolina-based Special Forces Association, said from his experience the FBI will investigate any claim regardless of how seriously the Stolen Valor Act was violated.
"If they're breaking the law, the (FBI is) going to go after them," he said.

Smith said usually when someone goes into Special Forces he has to guarantee he will be in the Army for one or two more years. Gardner's record shows he was released from active duty nine days after he left Special Forces training.
Plus, Smith said he has e-mailed Gardner several times asking him to explain his military background, but Gardner has not responded.
"His records don't match up," Smith said, "for what it takes to be in SF."
Gardner was found guilty of battery in 2001 against his wife at the time, Denise Gardner. Court records show the judge withheld adjudication of guilt, which means the case will not appear on Gardner's criminal record.
Gardner's fellow mayoral candidate Jenna Persons called in an e-mail for Gardner to produce his military record or admit his wrong.
Otherwise, she wrote, he should step out of the race.
"This city cannot focus on policy issues as long as Gardner's credibility is the main issue," Persons wrote. "Gardner cannot add anything to the policy debate unless he has first established credibility."

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....=2009907170388

[Team Sergeant]

Derrell Douglas Gardner Jr. I see you posted your "military" discharge on your website.
http://derrellgardner.com/honor.html

(Forget about removing it as we now have a copy.)

You're just digging the hole deeper.

That "discharge" states you were in the Army about a "year" and got out as a PV2 ?????

Where's your "last" discharge Derrell ? You know the one that shows you spent six years in the Army?
(My guess, Private Gardner is "that" discharge does not say "Honorable" and you didn't want the people of Ft Myers to view it.)

You do know most of us on here have 20+ years in the Army, we know you're full of crap Derrell.

Do you really think the people of Ft Myers are that stupid?

Feel free to prove me wrong and produce your "last" discharge that we know you have, your DD-214 and orders assigning you to one of the "SPECIAL FORCES" Groups. There were only three active duty Special Forces Groups at the time you were in Private Gardner please tell us which one you "served" in for "six" years?

Private Derrell Gardner, you did not spend six years on active duty and you never served in Special Forces.


Keep digging buddy.

Team Sergeant

[Team Sergeant]

Private Derrell Gardner you are full of crap.

Your press release will fool the idiots but not us.

You never served in Special Forces, you know it and we know it.

I noticed you replaced your first "honorable" discharge with another. You must have noticed you made a huge error on the first one. (Too late we already have a copy of the former.)

I bet you've been doing a whole lot of "explaining" to your friends and family concerning your six years in "Special Forces".
http://derrellgardner.com/pressrelease.html

Derrell Gardner, you didn't respond to the Special Forces Association concerning your Special Forces claims, why?

You still have not responded to any direct questions concerning your Special Forces claims, why?

You spent only 16 months on active duty, why?

Team Sergeant

[Team Sergeant]

Hey Derrell Gardner!!!!!

Seems you made the "A" list!!! You are now featured on the largest military PHONIES and WANNABE'S website on the internet!!!

I'm sure the good people of Ft. Myers are proud......an indivudual has to go the extra mile to be added to the POW Network phonies list!

Great work buddy, I'm sure your family is also very proud of you.

Team Sergeant

http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1190.htm