SwiftVets.com

[Me#1You#10]

Clover veteran takes pride in Kerry's defeat despite his own hardships
Special to The Herald
By Andrew Dys
The Herald
Rockville, S.C.
November 15, 2004

Graphic Caption: Steve Gardner of Clover campaigned widely against John Kerry in this year's presidential election. This is his truck.

CLOVER -- Clover's Steve Gardner is broke. He's unemployed. But Gardner might be the happiest man in America.

John Kerry lost.

Gardner served aboard a swift boat in Vietnam under Kerry's command. He became a national sensation and Kerry critic after telling people for the past eight months he thought Kerry was a weakling.

Gardner became the counterpoint to nine other men who served under Kerry -- including Rock Hill native the Rev. David Alston -- who praised the Democratic presidential nominee during the campaign for his bravery and courage.

"I respect those guys," Gardner said. "They have their opinion. I have mine."

So Gardner joined the national Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, an organization of Vietnam vets and POWs that sprang up in opposition to Kerry. The group became a lightning rod in the campaign, bashing Kerry at every stop. A best-selling book came out. Gardner spoke at rallies almost every week against Kerry.

"I'm just a poor dumb country boy," Gardner said. "All I can do is tell the truth. Do you think I'd put this out there in front of God and everybody if it wasn't true?"

Gardner was twice on Bill O'Reilly's Fox television show. He was on Fox TV's "Hannity and Colmes." He was on radio in countless cities and quoted in newspapers. He argued at places like Veterans of Foreign Wars against other swift boat vets who served with Kerry and thought Kerry brave and strong.

Gardner -- like the GOP and the swift boat veterans themselves -- said the swift boat organization was not part of Bush's campaign. Gardner is one of those who claim the national media wanted Kerry to win, saying his point of view and voice were all but shut out of the debate.

But the flipside to that is Gardner and other swift boat vets were on cable and radio shows almost constantly for weeks. Gardner said he gave thousands of interviews.

Even though Bush distanced himself from the swift boat group and some famous Vietnam veteran POWs, such as Republican Sen. John McCain, thought little of them, the story had legs. So Steve Gardner continued to talk.

"I guess one of the things that made me newsworthy is what I said always came out the same," Gardner said. "I served on the boat with him. I saw it. I tell it. Nothing fancy."

The results were positive yet fleeting for Bush, said Rick Whisonant, political science instructor at York Technical College. Through the summer, the swift boat group was as hot a topic in the national media as any issue, Whisonant said. But after both political conventions, the issue dropped almost out of sight.

Gardner became a national figure, though locally he wasn't on the radar screen other than for a few regional speaking engagements.

"I don't remember a single person ever talking about it," said Johnnie Robinson, commander of Rock Hill's VFW Post 2889.

Yet Gardner plugged on. He revved up his red Ford SUV, laden with anti-Kerry stickers, and went on the road after Labor Day. Hotel porters would ask him what he thought. He'd talk to people at gas stations. He spent days in swing states such as Ohio, where he grew up, West Virginia and Florida.

The cause disrupted Gardner's life. He still claims that he lost two jobs because of the controversy.

"My bills are paid, but I don't have a dime in the bank," he said.

The future isn't certain for Steve Gardner. He can work in the building trades like the old days. A run for office?

"Absolutely not," he said.

Yet Gardner has no regrets. He makes no apologies. He was in Vietnam with John Kerry on the same boat.

"Somebody asked me one time what I gained out of this, and I said, 'Not a darn thing,'" Gardner said. "I've been called a liar and ridiculed. I've been cussed up one side and down the other. I'm 56 years old. I'm looking for a job. I did this for one reason. John Kerry is not fit to be president."

John Kerry isn't president. Steve Gardner is broke.

And he's smiling.

Andrew Dys •329-4065

adys@heraldonline.com

Herald Online

[rbshirley]

[Beatrice1000]

Wow - I've listened to Steve alot over the last months - love his laughter and his honest, blunt style! THANKS SO MUCH STEVE.

[wpage]

Thank You Steve for all you have done to expose this fraud. You have helped save our nation from this traitor.

William B. Page
_________________
B Co. 2/5th, 1st Cav 71-72 RVN (11B) also
D Co. 1/12th, 1st Cav 1972 RVN (11B)
Battle of Kontum 1972 Easter Offensive
www.thebattleofkontum.com

[ScottyDog]

Somebody that owns a business needs to offer this guy a job.

We all owe him a debt of gratitude because he is the one that had the most to lose.

Kudos Mr. Gardner!

[coldwarvet]

Thank you Steve

We were totally demoralized 1975-1979 during the time of my service and it wasn’t until the SBVT shined the light of truth upon Kerry did everything fall into place for me. This whole experience has been very healthy for me and for the first time in my life I have been able to feel some pride about my service.

Thank you,
_________________
Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.

"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto

USAF 75-79 Security Police

[producehawk]

Steve was the first Swifty I heard. It was on Savage in early Aug. I donated on Aug 6th the first time. I followed Steve throughout the whole episode. Next the John O'Niell I thought he was the best asset the movement had. He really shut up the "no one served on his boat argument". Good luck Steve, I hope you get your own talk show.

[Keys]

I hope Steve prospers. I don't think He'll be out of work long. It took guts to go thru all he went thru. We all owe the man a dept of gratitude.

[DavidS]

I too want to extend thanks to Steve and am praying for his future.
_________________
Keep A Zero Bubble!

[gmez2001]

God Bless you Steve.

Out of this trial and tribulation will come success,this entire episode could be a blessing in disguise.

Hang in there shipmate

George M
_________________
Tin Can Gunline Vietnam
2nd generation Navy