by Jere Beery
Las Vegas, NV – The moment approaches as June 23, 2014 rolls around with what could be a decisive decision, whether defamation damages will be awarded to attorney Marshal S. Willick and his law firm, on the alleged actions of Mr. Gene D. Simes and Mr. Jere Beery.
The Good:
Two combat wounded Vietnam veterans who have chosen to advocate for injustices in the treatment of disabled veterans will be on trial defensing their honor, their sacrifices and their integrity toward what could be easily seen as offensive hate speech by the plaintiffs. Simes and Beery are well known in Washington DC for their work in pursuing the congressional enforcement of federal laws on disability benefits. To many veterans across the country they represent their last line of defense, by listening to veterans’ issues lost in translation by many disinterested people within the legal system.
The Bad:
Attorney Willick’s own demonizing words shows contempt for what he calls, “militant military groups” out to pervert family law. This is unusual language, since military pensions go back to early congressional history as a mean to encourage and retain soldiers in the military. So, exactly how are so-called militant military group distorting, corrupting the purpose or intent of the military pension system, if the pension system was enacted by Congress during its early legislative history. Hate words are usually used by people that do not understand or ignorant in any given issue, so this may account for the reckless and malicious use of such distasteful and provocative language by attorney Willick. Nevertheless, it does not excuse the use of “jihadist” as it appeared in one of the legal notes. Such insinuation was an oppressive and condescending remark intended to damage the reputation of Mr. Simes and Mr. Beery, well known leaders in veterans’ communities and the U.S. Congress.
The Indifference:
When anyone compares the job of our military as no more dangerous than a zookeeper, construction worker, cop or a host of other jobs; it is easy to see how the services of the military are taken so lightly. Attacking veterans and service members by calling them names and making insidious remarks against them can only be seem as anti-American or anti-military. What else can it be called? Maybe a class in humility may be in order for people who think this way; by explaining to grieving fathers, mothers, the spouses or other loved ones; that the death of their loved ones was insignificant to this great nation or that their loved ones died for no good reason. Either way, such language is not privilege, if it offends any groups of people.
This case is not about defamation, rather hate speech against veterans, and the likes that sparked several veterans to defend the honor of many great Americans who served their country. Mr. Simes and Mr. Beery are great Americans who performed their jobs in the military and did not challenge what they were told to do. The shame they feel today reflects the name calling sentiments of many anti-war Americans during the 60s’. This mentality must end, service members are special for a simple reason they put out the trash that many do not want to deal with . . . in war.
These two proven Patriots believe in justice. So far no one has come forward to help; they are in desperate need of legal representation by anyone who is willing to prove their innocents. GBA
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For more information . . .
Contact person: Simon Alvarado, Ret. US Army
Email: [email protected]
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 live-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 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 the 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 documents 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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