SPEAKER: Jerry Reed
Former President/Executive Director for Operation Military Embrace, Inc., was a fundraiser for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund until he was drawn into this Christian ministry by exposure to the unmet needs of those fighting alone in this global war against terrorism: our military personnel and their families. Jerry retired from Chevron Chemical Company in July 2000, and from that date forward through 31 December 2020, he and his wife, Debbie, and their generous Board of Directors performed philanthropic work in support of our injured warriors and their families. To increase effectiveness many times over, Operation Military Embrace, Inc. (OME) was incorporated as a recognized 501c3 in May 2007 through dissolution 31 December 2020 when President Trump successfully wound-down combat operations and ended the killing and maiming of our Warriors. OME focused on work to assist our seriously wounded and their families as well as supporting those serving in the combat theater of operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq as well as less well-known regions. The Holy Spirit directed this ministry as all the things we accomplished in Christ’s name would have been impossible without Divine guidance.
Jerry spent thirty years with Gulf/Chevron from June, 1970, through July, 2000, holding positions of increasing financial responsibility during his career. Prior to a career with Gulf/Chevron, Jerry was in the Marine Corps from April, 1966 through January, 1970 having served in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Group 13, VMFA-314, The Black Knights, from 10/’67 – 11/’68 in support of the highly decorated 1st Marine Division and survived Tet ‘68. He attended the University of Houston, majoring in Finance with minors in economics and marketing, and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in Houston. Jerry is an avid hunter and a fisherman, and still keeps a couple of English Setter bird dogs to work on native quail, and the dogs and the outdoors keep him a young 79. Jerry is a former member of the VFW, the Marine Corps League, was a director of the Houston Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association, Inc., as well as the immediate past National Treasurer for the First Marine Division Association, Inc., and is currently the CFO for the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund, Inc., a 501c3 that provides university scholarships to the sons and daughters of 1st Marine Division Marines KIA or 100% disabled.
Both of Jerry & Debbie’s sons have served on active duty in the U.S. Marines. The oldest son, Matthew, is also a former Army Sergeant who then went on to support the Army as a contractor. The younger son, Jonathan, is a recently retired LtCol who was an F/A-18 Hornet jet pilot for the Marine Corps. Both sons have served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jerry and his sons have served a total of 13 deployments to foreign countries between the 3 of them, 10 of which were combat related.