On
August 8th 1st LT Jennifer Dyer was attacked and raped
and has stated it was 1st LT Michael Hall of the 278th
Regimental Combat Team at Camp Shelby, MS. This is where LT Dyer along with her
unit, the 250th Signal Battalion, N.J. National Guard had been sent
for pre-Iraq deployment training.
Jennifer
could be your daughter; your sister; your fiancée; your wife; your neighbor. A
degree in Political Science, working for a career in law enforcement and
serving her country in uniform, she is without a doubt, the “all-American girl”
so to speak. All of that has been turned up-side down because of an animal
posing as a man, 1st LT Michael Hall, stands accused of her rape.
Jennifer is as much a casualty of war as anyone can be—only she was “wounded”
by what was supposed to be one of her own, someone wearing the same uniform.
After
reporting the rape the Army took Jennifer to a civilian Hospital emergency room
for treatment, after which she was held in seclusion by the Army for three
days. During this time military CID agent Eric Barreras informed Jennifer of
her Miranda rights and then proceeded to threaten her with criminal prosecution
for filing a false report. Further victimize the victim, that’s the Army way.
And this nation has the audacity to talk about the “rule of law.”
The
Army took her to the Hospital and now the Hospital is billing her for the
charges as the Army has refused to pay the bill according to Jennifer in a
previous conversation. Additionally, the Army told Jennifer she was to take a
lie detector test which she agreed to readily. When Michael Hall refused to
take the same lie detector test, the Army told Jennifer her test would not be
necessary, but, I’m getting ahead of myself.
It
wasn’t until Jennifer’s fiancée, Edward, who is a New Jersey police officer, arrived
at Camp Shelby on August 13th and took her off base was she finally
able to get some semblance of counseling and additionally medical treatment.
The Army had given her none and had not set any appointments for her even with
the base medical people. And it’s a good thing Edward did get her some
additional medical care—it turns out that her accused rapist, Michael Hall, is
Herpes Type 2 positive, and unfortunately, now, too, is Jennifer.
Under
pressure, the Army gave Jennifer two weeks leave to go home and “get over it.”
In a phone conversation with Edward a couple of weeks ago, he told me how when
Jennifer called Camp Shelby to request an extension of her leave, so she would
be able to continue with the counseling and medical treatment she is now receiving,
Lt Col. Powell, the base psychiatrist, she told Jennifer that “two weeks was a
generous amount of time for leave” and that “it was enough time for the victim
of such a crime to be recovered and returned to duty.”
Right
now Jennifer is listed AWOL. Her attorney, Fredrick Klepp, klepplaw@aol.com, is being stonewalled by the Army about
Jennifer. The Army has demanded Jennifer return to Camp Shelby, the place where
she was not only raped but where her accused rapist, Michael Hall, is still
running around as if nothing ever happened. There is something terribly wrong
with this picture!
Everyone
involved with her care all say the same thing, it would be an un-mitigated
disaster for her to have to return to Camp Shelby. A compassionate transfer
request by Jennifer was denied by the command of the 278th
Regimental Combat Team, to which Jennifer is still attached. Anyone in their
right mind and with just a modicum of compassion would understand that a transfer
out of the 278th is warranted.
She
should not be in this position in the first place as she had resigned her
commission in October of 2003. But due to a failure on the Army’s part, her
paperwork had not been completely processed and she was called back to active
status in March of 2004.
What
compounds this situation Jennifer now finds herself confronted with is the
“Feres Doctrine” which VERPA—the Veterans Equal Rights Protection Advocacy,
Inc.—has been fighting for over ten years. This has turned all military
personnel into second class citizens as it prevents those in uniform, and
veterans, from bringing action against the military for harm done—you may find
detailed information on the Feres Doctrine at VERPA’s web site http://www.verpa.org/
According
to Byron Holcomb, an Oregon attorney, it was his case “Buckmiller v. U.S.” “in
1983 that first brought to the attention of the public the problem of rape in
the military. The Army relied on [the] Feres [Doctrine] saying that rape was
one of those incidents of military service. Until congress repeals Feres and
particularly this abomination, rape will continue to be a significant problem
of our military.” He goes on to say, “this will change when congress changes
the laws and every congressman should be made aware of this.” I am in total
agreement with Mr. Holcomb on this.
In
the meantime we need to give our support to this young woman, we must become
the “cavalry to the rescue.” We can help her by making calls and sending
letters—actually as many as needed for as long as needed. What has happened to
Jennifer is an outrage, what the Army is now doing to her is a complete act of
betrayal. Something is terribly wrong when citizens have to try and force the
military to treat a victim of a crime, rape, with the respect, compassion, and
just treatment she deserves.
When
considering this, ask yourself this, what if this were your wife, your sister,
your fiancée, your daughter—what would you do to help her, to protect her, and
then take it from there.
Below
are some of the numbers that should be called. If and when calling be sure to
be as polite and courteous as possible, but be firm in expressing your opinion
at the treatment Jennifer is receiving. This is an opportunity to truly support
the troops by rallying to Jennifer.
Also,
as this is on-going, there will be updates made public on a continuous basis
until this is resolved. Jennifer’s full statement may read at the following
link http://oldamericancentury.org/jennifer.htm All available information will be located
there as well as my own web site www.ommp.org
I
would start with Capt Price that is who Mr. Klepp has talked with to no avail.
Col. Powell’s number is listed also. At the end of the list of names and
numbers, is Jennifer’s statement about what happened and this whole sorry chain
of events.
Capt Price, Staff Judge Advocate Office
Camp Shelby, MS
601-467-1990
I
gathered as many numbers as I could. If I am able to get any more, I will
send them to you.
Thanks
for your time and efforts, I hope this is helpful.
· Jen
278th
Regimental Command:
Regimental
Commander:
(Unable
to get a direct extension, but can be contacted via administrative staff)
(601)558-4196
Regimental
Executive Officer:
Lieutenant Colonel Honeycutt
(601)588-2782
278th
Regimental Headquarters Headquarters Company:
Company
Commander:
Captain Ray
(601)558-4501
Psychiatrist:
Colonel Sara Powell
(601)467-1107
(601)558-2547
Medical
Deployment Officer:
Major Sullivan
(601)297-4229
Senator John H. Adler, Democrat
District Office: 1916 Route 70
East, Suite 3, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 (856)-489-3442
And here is a listing of New
Jersey newspapers if you would care to write or call them as well.
The Star Ledger
1 Star Ledger Plaza
Newark, N.J. 07102
1-888-782-7533
This is the paper of record in New Jersey
The Courier Post
301 Cuthbert Boulevard
Cherry Hill, N.J. 08002
(856)663-6000
The Burlington County Times
4284 North U.S. Highway 130
Willingboro, N.J. 08046
(609) 871-8000
The Gloucester County Times
309 South Broad Street
Woodbury, N.J. 08096
(856) 845-3300
Philadelphia Inquirer
53 Haddonfield Road
Cherry Hill, N.J. 08002
(856) 779-3840
New Jersey Office
The Press of Atlantic City
11 Devins Lane
Pleasantvill, N.J. 08232
(609) 292-4935