by Jere Beery
Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) is currently engaged in the battle to enforce federal protection of veteran’s disability benefits in civil courts. Over the past 6 years OFFE has been the standard barer in efforts to enforce USC, TITLE 38, 5301.
OFFE has been a leader in the grassroots movement to protect veteran’s disability compensation from third party awards in a divorce and/or bankruptcy. The frontlines in that heated debate were clearly defined this past week when a 4-man OFFE delegation put booths on the ground in Davenport, Iowa.
After the incident in Iowa 3 weeks ago, when State Representative Zirkelbach alleged Jere Beery made threats against him, and which were later proven unfounded by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), it was inevitable that OFFE visit the Great State of Iowa.
The battle lines now go straight through the heartland of Iowa. And thus far, the most effective rounds of the battle have been fired by Operation Firing For Effect.
Last Wednesday evening Gene Simes received an urgent request for assistance from a disabled Iraqi Freedom War veteran.
The severely disabled Iowa veteran needed support protecting his VA disability compensation from use as a divisible asset in an Iowa divorce court. Within 12 hours from receiving the call Gene Simes and Jere Beery were on the ground in Davenport, Iowa to assist this veteran.
On Thursday, Simes and Beery met with OFFE Iowa Co-Director of Operations, Howard Mingin. Mingin, a disabled Iraqi Freedom War veteran, had arranged for media coverage of the story by the local NBC affiliate, TV6, in Davenport, Iowa. By Thursday afternoon, the OFFE team met with TV6 Reporter and Anchorwoman, Erika Cervantes.
For over an hour Ms. Cervantes interviewed the men and video taped the first segment in a 2 part series on the story. You may view that first segment at the following link.
http://www.cafcusa.org/video/military-benefits-for-alimony
On Friday, OFFE Iowa Director of Operations, Jerry Bohr joined the OFFE team in Davenport. Bohr is a State of Iowa Veterans Service Officer and well versed on the subject of protection of disability compensation from third party awards in civil courts. Once again, Erica Cervantes interviewed the OFFE delegation concerning their battle. For the second night in a row the story was one of the lead stories on TV6 the 10 pm News broadcast. That video will be available soon.
In addition to the professional coverage by Ms. Cervantes and TV6, the OFFE team met for over an hour with Iowa State Senator, Shawn Hamerlinck. The Senator is spearheading an attempt to revive HF 170 in the Iowa General Assembly before the end of this session in the next two weeks. Senator Hamerlinck feels this issue is way too important an issue regarding our returning injured troops both male and female to wait until next year.
In a spin-off story a similar Bill (SB 285) has been authored and submitted in the California General Assembly. The California Bill is modeled on the Iowa Bill. The Iowa Bill was modeled on a Bill that was introduced in the West Virginia Legislature last year, House Bill 2546. The Iowa and West Virginia Bills were both killed in committee. You can access the California connection at this link.
http://www.cafcusa.org/news/2009/04/cafc-helps-disabled-veterans-with.html
According to OFFE National Chairman, Gene Simes, the OFFE team had a positive reception in Iowa, and he is confident the story is on the brink of going national. “If Iowa misses this opportunity to show their support for our troops by protecting their earned disability compensation, California will gladly take the lead on this issue and pass SB 285,” Simes concluded.
If you would like to know more about this issue, or wish to push the effort in your state, visit OFFE AREA 5301; http://jerebeery.com/AREA%205301.htm
A special ‘Thank You’ to American Legion Post 26 for hosting the TV6 and OFFE interviews in their beautiful new Davenport location.
Jere Beery
Operation Fire For Effect (OFFE)
Public Relations Director
jerebeery@aol.com
[NOTE:] The identity and personal information concerning this disabled veteran is confidential at this time, as the case is currently SEALED and under a temporary court order. It is our understanding the veteran could be held in contempt of court for publicly disclosing details surrounding his case prior to a final ruling. Once a case reaches a final settlement, the veteran may go public with their story without fear of repercussion.
Although Jere Beery only served 4 years in the U.S. Navy, he has an impressive military history. Twenty-seven months of that service was in the combat waters of Vietnam. His first duty station in 1965 was aboard the USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, (LST-1167) as a Seaman. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was involved in many operations within the combat waters of South Vietnam and received many awards and accolades for her service. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was the recipient of 15 Battle Stars for her 19 years of service. LST-1167 was one of only 3 ships of her type to earn 15 Battle Stars (out of over 1200 LSTs built since before WWII).
Beery’s second duty station in 1967 was with the legendary PBRs of the Brown Water Navy. As a volunteer, Beery saw combat on a fairly routine basis with this elite group and their high-speed patrol craft. On March 1, 1968, Beery’s patrol was ambushed by a sizeable force of NVA and Viet Cong. The boat Beery was aboard took two direct RPG hits to her starboard side badly wounding four members of the boat’s crew. Seaman Beery was the most severely wounded and not expected to live. The first RPG had exploded right where Beery was standing as he manned his 50 caliber machine gun. To this day, Beery contributes his survival to the life-saving actions of his patrol officer, LT. RICHARD GODBEHERE and his other crew members. Beery spent the next year and a half hospitalized and recovering from his wounds. THE GODBEHERE PATROL
On November 1, 1968, while Jere Beery was recuperating at NAS Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was attacked on the My Tho river. At 03:22 in the morning two very large mines were detonated on the ship’s starboard side. 25 men were killed, 17 were the ship’s crew. Several of the men killed that morning were friends and former shipmates of Beery’s. This incident has gone down in history as the greatest loss of life by the U.S. Navy in a single attack during the entire Vietnam War. USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY
In mid-1969, Jere Beery was medically retired from the Navy. His service record reflects 1 Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, and 5 military campaigns in Vietnam. Beery was also rated totally and permanently disabled by the Veterans Administration.
Over the years since Vietnam, Jere Beery has attempted to do some things many thought impossible for someone with physical injuries such as his. During the early 80s, Jere Beery, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild pursued a brief career in the motion picture business as an actor. Beery landed a few small parts in a number of movies and television programs. On several occasions, to the amazement of many, Beery even executed his own stunts.
In 1986, Jere Beery gave up his career in the movies to crusade for his fellow veterans. Since that time, veteran’s rights advocate Jere Beery has been a noted driving force in the Veteran’s Rights Movement and effort to improve services for our veterans. Beery’s efforts have been extremely well documented and many articles have been written about his quest. A few of these articles can be found on this page. You can also type the words “Jere Beery” into any search engine to find out more about Beery’s efforts. www.google.com
Jere Beery’s multifaceted story is truly an amazing one. From his survival in Vietnam to risking additional injury executing stunts in the motion pictures, to fighting to protect the benefits earned by our troops, Jere Beery has forged his own trail and continues to amaze and baffle many.
– Place and Date of Birth: Orlando, Fl – 03/13/48
– Raised: St. Augustine, Fl
– Place & Date Enlistment: Jacksonville, Fl – 05/20/65
– Branch of Service: U.S. Navy
– Highest Rate/Rank: E4/PO3/Signalman Third Class
– Duty Stations: USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, LST-1167 and TF116, River Patrol Force, River Section – 511, (PBRs), Binh Thuy, RSVN
– Date of Discharge: 5/14/69
– Type of Discharge: Honorable, Medically Retired
– VA Rating: 100% Totally and Permanently Disabled
Military Awards and Medals:
– 1 Bronze Star – w/combat “V” Citation
– 3 Purple Hearts – (1/5/68, 2/14/68, 3/1/68)
– Vietnam Service Medal – w/1 Silver Star – (5 military campaigns in-country, RSVN)
– Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal – w/1960 device
– Combat Action Ribbon
– Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
– Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon
– National Defense Medal
– Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation – Gallantry Cross Medal Color, w/Palm
– Republic Of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation – Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color, w/Palm
Military Training:
– River Patrol Craft Training, (PBR), Mare Island, CA
– Special Weapons Training, Mare Island, CA
– J.E.S.T. (Jungle Environmental Survivor Training) – Cubi Point, Philippines
– S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Training) – Whidbey Island, Washington State
– Vietnamese Language – Mare Island, CA.
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