Who is Jason Dement?

Current News - 19 April 2013

19 April, 2013

Happy birthday to my little brother Josh.
Today was a most productive day and has been the biggest positive jump forward since this whole thing started.

Late yesterday, a man reached out to my family in Mississippi offering his help.  I'm not sure how much trouble he went through to reach me but I know multiple people were called and then my mother sent me his contact information.  This man, who wishes to remain nameless, has lived here in Turkey for over 26 years and speaks the language fluently.  He is an American from Texas and he has had a very colorful life full of dramatic events.  Some of his experiences have led him to do what he does these days.  Retired, he devotes lots of his time to helping foreigners and people in need find their way in the Turkish system.  He helps people, out of the kindness of his heart.  I spoke with him on the phone Thursday night and discovered that he lives a cabs drive away from where I am staying so we scheduled to meet the next day.
We met for lunch this morning and shared stories to get to know each other and build a bond of trust.  He didn't waste anytime in getting started on helping me.  He was full of advice on the things that needed to happen to be the most beneficial for our case and he even spoke to my lawyer as well.
Today we were able to visit an official translator which was required to bring a Power of Attorney to the Notary for my lawyer.  The whole process would have been next to impossible without his help.  He made it nearly effortless.  He also talked with me about our PR and the articles on the news here in Turkey.  He let me know that the articles are written with a positive inclination towards our case and the majority of the comments were all sympathetic to our cause.  (Another stranger on the internet had done the same thing for me last night which was a huge relief.  I will quote him anonymously on my blog since he has requested it so)
My new best here in Turkey explained many things about the Turkish Law system to me and helped me to get over the feeling of dread.  The general consensus now points towards me being able to leave the country rather soon.  My lawyer has requested some paperwork that our Ansbach Military Community and my Employers provided over night and she plans to take these papers to a court official on Monday.  The intent is to prove what type of person I am and that I am not an "International Smuggler" but a husband and father with a job so that my travel ban can be lifted and I can return to my family.  In Turkey, if you have an attorney, you do not have to attend court.  I have been told that most defendants do not go to court, rather their attorney does.  So if my attorney is able to convince the judge via this paperwork that a lifting of the travel ban should be awarded, the high court hearing could be moved closer so that I could be allowed to return to my family afterwards.  This would leave the lawyer here in Turkey to represent me in all of the cases to come.  This case could continue for 1.5-2 years easily yet I would not be detained here through it all.  Tuesday next week is a special holiday in Turkey so no work will be done on that day but if we are lucky, there is a possibility of resolution next week.

Thank you all for your support and for following my blog.

What is the Fundraiser Paying For? Where will the left over funds go when Jason is home?

14 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. http://setjasonfree.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

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  2. I didn't plant the bombs in Boston, and I didn't cause the explosion in Texas. I didn't cause any of the horrible things that are happening in the world and ARE happening ALL the time. I sympathize with their families and everyone affected. Send money and support to their families. I encourage it.

    The fact remains that I do have a family and three kids and we DO need the support. You cannot begin to understand the financial situation of every family or the things that had to happen for us to open up and let people know that we do actually need help. We're always helping people and that's who we are but now we've encountered a situation that for the first time, we had to reach out to others for help. You don't have to support us. We don't need anything from you and especially your negativity. You're getting tangled up on the word "artifact" and letting it affect your thoughts here. We picked up two stones that were just remarkable enough to have worked well for our purpose of a memory trinket. We didn't lift anything from a historical site.

    People are helping us because they have seen us helping the community. We've been in it for years, over 11 for myself. I've served countless hundreds of volunteer hours in the community on top of having a full time job. I'm no embarrassment to the community. I love Ansbach

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  3. What is wrong in relaying his trouble and asking for much needed help? Why does it bother you? Why is it your business in where another individual should travel or not? If you do not want to, you may choose not to extend one in need of relief. Keep your disrespectful tirade to yourself. I did not donate a dime but I hope he is found not in contravention of any Turkish laws/regulations and very soon.
    You mention Boston, how can you find it relevant? The US government is there to help the hurt, not so here.

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    1. Thank you for your words. They mean a lot to us and I just wanted you to know I appreciated you stepping up.

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  4. Like I told your wife..you don't need to justify yourself, the ones helping are not asking for explanations. We know why you and your family need the money and we help voluntarily because we love your family and know the kind of human beings you all are. Keep your heads up..you'll be home soon.What happened to you is a lesson to all..who doesn't pick up rocks from the beach when on vacations?? 90% does it.

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    1. :) Thanks, I'm glad you guys feel that way. I know that we have gotten more support than we ever expected and that means a lot of people who care and sympathize. The ones with harsh things to say are few but I usually feel the need to reply since those type of comments can be poisonous to a setting. You're right, people who are traveling the world, pick up rocks... I thought it was just natural.

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  5. Jason and family. I am so happy and relieved to hear that so many generous people have donated to get you back home. And wow, so quickly! I am utterly amazed at the amount of support your family has within our community. I just hope that spreading the word about your situation has helped in some way, even if minuscule. I am glad that someone was kind enough to reach out to you and can help you translate and get through this process easier, what an amazing man full of compassion.

    I am also very happy to hear that you have plans for the remainder of the donated money. That is absolutely the right thing to do, and I think that everyone who donated couldn't be happier about that!

    Wishing you the very best! Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated!

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    1. Thank you Adrienne. I also find myself utterly amazed. It seems unreal and yet it's so real, it's compassion you can feel from a great distance. I also hope word and exposure from my situation helps to make changes for the better that will affect many people in the future. I'd like to think that there are many who would attach themselves to my cause as an engine of improvement/change/growth.
      And you are right. This man, is one of the greatest I've ever met and there's just nothing better that could have happened to me yesterday. A truer, more compassionate person, I do not believe I have ever met.
      I hope that somehow, my case and my issues can be wrapped up next week with as little cost as possible. I would love for a lot of the donation money to go to someone in more need than myself.
      Thank you for all the well wishes Adrienne :)

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  6. We've known each other pretty much all our lives. We lived together, went to school together, and even went to church together. Jason is one of the most stand up, honest, and integrate people I know. I love him like a brother. I can honestly tell you without a shadow of a doubt he would never knowingly steal or smuggle anything.

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  7. Jason just remember you got a bunch of good ole boys back home that will stick beside you no matter what. You have been a good friend of mine for over twenty years now and I love you like a brother. Can't wait here all this mess is over with and your back with your family.

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    1. Thanks Adam, I really appreciate it. I love you like a brother as well. I'm ready to go home too and I'm happy there are so many people who've supported me to make sure that happens. All the best brother

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  8. still hoping and praying for your safe and quick return home:) Rebecca

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