July 23, 2025, was the most recent commencement ceremony for the Monroe County Veterans Court. Twelve justice-involved veterans (JIVs) GRADUATED! This marks the most significant number of JIV graduates since the inception of the Veterans Court in 2013.
Eight of the JIVs were from Monroe County, and each one was from McMinn, Meigs, Bradley, and Polk Counties. This was Meigs County’s first JIV in the Veterans Court program.
Two mentors had their first JIV graduates: Rob Myers and Robert McAndrew. This event is more emotional than any other. One of the JIVs had one of his parents pass away just two hours before the commencement, and another JIV, Nicholas Oswalt’s wife, had a parent pass away that morning. The JIV’s wife wanted to participate in the event but was unable to do so. The JIV asked the Court if we could video his testimony so his wife could view the event; Judge Thomas’s response was YES. After receiving permission, another JIV, Tyler Moore, also requested that his testimony be recorded.
Here is the list of graduates and mentors:
County JIV Branch Mentor
Monroe Charles Kile Navy Lee Bacon
Monroe Stacy Stallcup Navy Ron Collee
Monroe Glenn Kirkland Navy “JD” Phillips
Monroe Tyler Moore Army Johnny McKinley
Monroe David Coleman Natl Guard Rob Myers*
Monroe Charles Taylor USMC Reserve Bob McAndrew*
Monroe Russell Sparks USMC Bob Goguen
Monroe Joshua Ablet Army Lee Bacon
McMinn Adrian D Sanders USMC Reserve Bob Goguen
Meigs Keith Clayton USMC Jamey Sands
Bradley Donna Schrum Navy Gail Evans
Polk Nicholas Oswalt Natl Guard Michael McGrail
Nicholas Oswalt’s mission after commencement was to ensure that veterans were made aware of the Veterans Court in Eastern Tennessee. Click here to view Tyler’s testimony and click here to view Nicholas’s testimony. Click here to view the graduates photos.
This milestone could not have occurred without the focus and dedication of each of the veterans, as well as the support from their families, Judge Dwaine Thomas, Judge Brooklynn Townsend, Judge Richardson, McNabb Therapist Travis Miller, Vet to Vet Tennessee, and all the mentors. God bless our Veterans and God bless America.
