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Paul A. “Drew” Gardner – U.S. Army – Iraq War Veteran

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Paul A. Drew Gardner Headstone

Several months ago I bumped into my friend Robert Gardner, a popular Santa Clarita businessman, and having a vague recollection of his brother Paul’s U.S. Army service, I suggested that we create his Veterans Page.

Robert followed up by sending his brother’s photos and soon I met with him and later his sisters, Kelli and DeAnna to gain a full appreciation of the family’s sentiment.

Tragically, Paul Gardner passed away following several explosions in 2009 and 2010 during combat operations with Islamic insurgents in Iraq.

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Vietnam Veteran Bill Reynolds is our KHTS Director of Veteran’s Affairs. If you know a local veteran, please email us at Hometownheroes@hometownstation.com.

Adventurous Upbringing
Paul A. “Drew” Gardner was born June 28, 1974 in Boulder, Colorado where he lived until five years of age, when the Gardner family moved first to Missouri, then Scottsdale, Arizona and finally to Bozeman, Montana.

Paul A. Drew Gardner in Baghdad

Paul and his brother Brandon grew up leading rather adventurous lives and as teenagers, they were considered inseparable, and always curious, brave and fearless.

Naturally, during his school days, Paul competed on the football and wrestling teams. However, Paul also possessed a deep appreciation for artistry, in which he was quite talented.

While attending high school Paul became infatuated with the U.S. Marine Corps and determined that he would one day serve in our military.

In high school, Paul’s dad turned his son’s attention towards the United States Army, leading him to enlist on June 19, 1993. He enlisted for three years and was set to leave right after his graduation from Bozeman High School on June 21, 1993.

Advanced Infantry Training
Paul instantly took to the Army’s discipline and regimented lifestyle during Basic Training at Fort Ord, California eventually graduating as his battalion’s top recruit.

Paul A. Drew Gardner Manning a 50 Cal

Following Advanced Individual Training (AIT) assigned to the Military Police (MP) Paul was then sent to Fort Hood, Texas.

For the next several years Paul made two one year deployments with an assignment at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, sandwiched into South Korea near the Demilitarized Zone.

At Fort Leonard Wood, Paul was fondly named “Drew” by his Army buddies, the new nickname was based on his middle name, Andrew. Among Paul’s achievements at Fort Leonard, he was promoted to Buck Sergeant E-5 on October 18, 1999.

Iraq Deployment
In March 2003, American and coalition forces invaded Iraq to eradicate the country of Saddam Hussein and all terrorist units.

Meanwhile, Paul’s unit waited on the sidelines and he worried that he might miss combat action.  However, six months later Paul’s unit deployed to Iraq on active duty and simultaneously he was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-6).

At this point, Paul had served twelve years in the U.S. Army.  As an infantry Platoon Sergeant, s specialty in Iraq was in logistics as his unit used Humvees on scouting missions to locate enemy insurgents.

Paul A. Drew Gardner in Iraq

During one such mission, Paul’s Humvee was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED), injuring Paul and several buddies. Following a short recovery, they all resumed their previous scouting missions.

Within the next four months, Paul’s Humvee was struck by yet another enemy mortar round, violently flipping it off the dirt road and onto its side. Paul sustained head and back injuries as the insurgents assaulted his Humvee with small arms fire, killing several soldiers.

Paul A. Drew Gardner Staff Sergeant

Luckily, Paul’s other platoon soldiers drove off those insurgents.  Paul was promptly transported to an American field hospital for several weeks before returning to Fort Lewis for rehabilitation.

Following his presumed recovery, Paul became an Army recruiting Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).  However, Paul was soon experiencing traumatic brain injury (TBI) issues severe enough that he was unable to recruit even one new soldier.

In June 2010, the U.S. Army persuaded Paul into accepting an Honorable Discharge leading to him receiving Veteran Administration (VA) healthcare along with a 100 percent disability rating.

Casualty of War
Paul retained positive memories of his Army service which he cherished, and he had high hopes of achieving a twenty-year career.

Paul A. Drew Gardner Funeral

Along the way he fathered three beautiful children, Abigail, Cole and Evelyn.

At one point, Paul phoned his brother Robert and stated, “I will never be a soldier again and I just hate it, but the good news is that I’ll be a father.”

His sister Kelli said, “Seeing Paul with his children it was obvious that being a faithful father was his actual calling in life.”

Meanwhile, Paul continued receiving VA care, as he was experiencing serious back pain and TBI side effects such as confusion and memory loss.

While attempting to treat Paul’s struggles, the VA ultimately prescribed as many as twenty-seven medications.

Paul’s Dad urged alternate medications, but there were no alternatives offered nor were there any other services offered.

Paul’s Mom Claire said, “It was as though the VA just left him on his own as the numerous medications seemed to interact ineffectively”.

Managing such a large medication regiment on a daily basis had to have been terribly difficult.  Tragically, on March 3, 2011 Paul passed away.

Paul A. Drew Gardner with Daughter Evelyn

American Hero
During Billings’ 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Paul’s mother stoically carried his urn of ashes.

Paul A. Drew Gardner Purple Heart

The Gardner family held Paul’s funeral in Billings, Montana which was attended by 200 Patriot Guard Motorcyclists who were there to block harassment from members of the infamous, anti-military Westboro Baptist Church.

As the attending Buck Sergeant presented Paul’s funeral flag to his mother, these words were spoken:

“On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

Paul’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal with V Device for Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Distinguished Service Medal.

May God bless Paul for his gallant service to our grateful nation.

Veteran Relief Foundation

Paul A. Drew Gardner MP Unit

Paul A. Gardner’s tragic loss led his family to realize that many veterans were struggling and in great need of non-narcotic options for rehabilitation and relief from chronic pain.

Hence, his family created the Paul Gardner Veterans Relief Foundation, hoping to prevent other soldiers who suffer traumatic combat injuries going through the same hell Paul experienced.

The foundation’s mission is to facilitate access to non-narcotic and effective pain treatments by providing financial resources for treatments not yet approved by the Veterans Administration.

The end goal is to accomplish an overall quality of life enhancement and mental well being for veterans.

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Paul A. “Drew” Gardner – U.S. Army – Iraq War Veteran

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About Bill Reynolds - KHTS Director of Veteran Affairs

I’ve lived in Santa Clarita since 1980 with my wife, with whom I have two wonderful children and five beautiful grandchildren.I’m the first son of a World War II veteran and an Australian WWII War Bride. Instead of being born in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Sydney, Australia, I was born in Mineral Wells, Texas. After moving around various small west Texas towns and having lived near Sydney, Australia, my family finally settled in the San Fernando Valley in 1955. I graduated from Cleveland High School, attended Pierce College and worked at General Motors in Van Nuys. In the spring of 1966, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam. I recently starred in National Geographic’s Emmy nominated documentary, “Brothers in War” now seen on Netflix. Read about "Hometown Heroes - Our Veterans" series, click here...