DECLARATION  OF  CONTEMPT

March 17, 2004

To: Coweta County, Georgia, Superior Court,

Judge Allen B. KEEBLE                              
Superior Courts, Coweta Judicial Circuit
Colonial Bldg., Suite 201
119 Ridley Ave.
LaGrange, GA 30240-2747
Phone: 706-883-1730
Fax: 706-883-1639

As a former Officer’s Survival Training visiting Instructor for the Georgia State Police Academy for many years, I have the utmost respect for the law and law enforcement personnel. However, when someone that administers the laws of this country blatantly disregards the law, I feel that person is no better than the criminals they prosecute.

On the 26^th of February, 2004, my wife and I appeared before you in Superior Court for a divorce settlement case. You were advised at that time by my attorney, that I was an unemployed 100% combat disabled veteran. You were also told that I had been living in a homeless shelter for 10 months while awaiting a final divorce court date. You were advised that I had been granted Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and I now had a net worth of Zero. During the day-long divorce hearing you discovered my sole possession was a 1989 Jeep Wrangler, and my only income was a VA disability compensation check. My wife testified that I gave her everything I owned. She stated she was paying rent on five storage units full of antiques and household valuables. And that she had sold or dispensed all of the rest of our joint property – of which I received nothing. I described to you how during a moment of depression, I had tried to commit suicide over my pending divorce. I also testified that I had just survived an episode with the most deadly of cancers - Carcinoma Cancer.  Then, although you were advised during the hearing (by her attorney), that VA Disability Compensation is protected by Federal Statute, and despite my destitute condition, you order me to pay my adulteress wife, (whom had recently infected me with the life-long virus, Herpes), $24,000.00 of my VA Disability Compensation. Talk about adding insult to injury and kicking a man while he’s down… Judge KEEBLE, please take the time to read the next statement VERY carefully. I can't, under any circumstances pay one penny of my earned (Federally Protected) veterans benefits to my former wife. To do so, would require me to violate Federal Law.

VA Disability Compensation is under the sole control and discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and cannot be garnished, modified, or attached to by anyone outside the VA. This money is paid to our disabled veterans tax-free. It is never to be considered “income” or “community property” in any civil litigation, much less a divorce case. You sir, are in violation of Federal Law, U.S. Code, TITLE 38, Sec. 5301 (a), and will be held accountable.

The Department of Veterans Affairs already has systems in place to assist spouses, widows, and dependants in obtaining entitlements and services they are eligible for. For the most part, the DVA does a very fine job and they are very experienced in handling such issues. They don’t need some small-town county Judge from middle Georgia dictating VA polices and second guessing their awards.

It is apparent you have no comprehension of the level of service required to warrant disability compensation awards at any percentage. The thing that scares me is what you will do to the next disabled veteran? Or, how many disabled veterans have you already illegally stripped of their earned benefits? If you, as you apparently seem to think, have legal access to “any” of his/her benefits, you will have the delusional power to take it “all” the next time. That is totally unacceptable. The parody in this calamity will be if you turn out to be a veteran yourself. I Pray you have never served this country in military service. I honestly don’t think this travesty of “justice” could handle a bombshell like that.

I guess you’re asking yourself by now, who the Hell do I think I am? Well, I’ll tell you who I am. I am a combat veteran with an exemplary combat military record. I am a Proven Patriot that has been awarded one Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts for service in Vietnam. I’m the young boy that volunteered and served in Vietnam at 17 years of age. I am the 19 year old man that took a direct hit from an anti-tank rocket and was medically retired from the Navy for injuries incurred on the battle field. I am the Past-Commander of the Newnan, Georgia, chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, (DAV). Who, as a community leader, helped provide Honor Guards for deceased Coweta County veterans and personally presented their loved ones with the Flag of this Great country. I’m also the concerned citizen that helped in the effort to put bedside phones in the VA hospitals nationwide. In 1988, I was the organizer and led a 72 hour vigil/demonstration at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta for better VA health care. I am the Veterans Rights Advocate that founded the Firebase Network, “Official Voice of the Veterans’ Rights Movement”. But, above all things I have ever done Judge KEEBLE, I’m the guy that is going to stop you from ever molesting another disabled veteran’s earned (Federally Protected) disability compensation.  

I don’t think you realize the “can of worms” you have opened during this Election Year with this illegal Court Order. The men and women that serve this country are willing to give their lives for our security and freedom. I was once one of this elite group of outstanding young people. I personally know how demanding and painful it can be. It is extremely important our Troops know they can count on us to protect their Legal & Constitutional rights while they are away. The way you treat our Veterans today, is how you will treat our Troops tomorrow. You see Judge KEEBLE, some things are worth fighting and dying for. This issue is one of those things. Be advised, if it takes every drop of blood in my veins and every breath in my lungs, I will stop your desecration of veteran’s benefits. You have screwed your last veteran, Judge. As for our veterans that have served in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf Wars 1 & 2, your ruling affects and insults them all.

1.)    On July, 4, 2004, (Independence Day), after I’m declared delinquent in my alimony payments to my ex-wife, I will return to Coweta County, Georgia. At that time, I expect/demand to be peacefully arrested, (as a criminal), for Contempt Of Court.

2.)    Once arrested, (as a criminal), I will refuse bond. I will stay in jail until my trial.

3.)    During my incarceration, (as a criminal), I will ONLY consume water, no food of any kind. I will resist all/any medical attention, and I will cease taking all medications prescribed for my many disabilities. No matter how long I’m in custody, (as a criminal).

You may ask yourself, why am I doing this? Quite simple, I can no longer afford to fight this battle through the courts by appeal. Over the past year and a half, I have been reduced a mere “ash of a person” by self-serving elements within the great state of Georgia. I now live in the attic of a combat veteran’s home in Ohio. My resources are drained, everything I owned is gone, my health is not good, and I will no longer play “politically correct” legal games with ignoramuses who rape veteran’s benefits. Sadly, I have NO faith in the civil court system at this time. The time for a little “civil disobedience” has arrived. So, it appears we will do this my way, (the purest form of American political process), at the Grassroots level, public forum, and media. I am not a Martyr, just a man with extremely strong convictions and willing to stand up against injustice for the benefit of our Troops and Veterans. “To know the Truth, and deny it, is a Sin”. I will not leave this life with the knowledge; some sanctimonious Judge (such as you) can hurt our veterans in the future.

Until I turn myself in to authorities (as a criminal), every effort will be made to expose you and your court as Anti-Veteran, Illegal, Immoral, Corrupt, and a threat to the benefits and entitlements earned by our military service personnel. The NVSOs, (i.e: VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, ECT...), all will be invited to voice their opinion on this matter. Your name will be posted on the Firebase Network’s web site; WWW.FIREBASE.NET, as an “Anti-Veteran Judge.” In addition, this incident will be the topic of many conversations on the Firebase Network’s worldwide radio program, The Veterans’ Hour. Your name, address, and phone number will be provided to anyone that requests it, posted on our web site, and aired on our radio program. Listeners will be encouraged to contact your office with their opinions and suggestions on your ruling.

One last item, your derogatory reference to my combat induced PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as a “Mental Illness” was totally uncalled for. And a degrading insult to all war veterans that live everyday with the guilt, anger and sorrow brought on by realities of true combat. I strongly suggest you read up on this “disorder” before you make such an ignorant statement to the wrong veteran in the future. Not all combat veterans are as reserved and composed as I am.

As a Christian, I will tell you this; do not misconstrue my Bravado as a threat to your physical being in any way. I’m sure you’re considered a likable person in some circle, somewhere. As a man, allow me to say this; God made us both equal in every way. I am not intimidated by you in any manner, shape, or form. As an American, I ask you this question; How could a “True Patriot” display a “Support Our Troops” bumper sticker on their car, get to work, and commence to deny Veterans their Earned benefits, entitlements, legal and Constitutional rights? As a Tax Payer I tell you this; “I’m not paying for Alimony to a non-veteran with Federal Funds tagged for veterans’ benefits.” Speaking as a Veteran Rights Activist; I want to thank you for so graphically illustrating one of the MANY problems facing our veterans today. And Welcome to the Veterans’ Rights Movement.  

I extend an Open Invitation to you Judge KEEBLE to be our guest on the FIREBASE NETWORK’s, Veterans’ Hour, to explain the “finer points of VA law” to our listeners. I’m certain our worldwide audience would be very interested in what you have to say.  

I look forward to seeing you in the near future.

Very Seriously Yours,

JERE BEERY, USN, (Ret.)

P.O. Box 595

Jefferson, Ohio  44047

jerebeery@aol.com