Monroe County Veterans Court demonstrated its abiding commitment to the veteran community as March wound down, a special ceremony in the courtroom of Judge Dwaine Thomas energetic with praise for the program and its participants.
According to Thomas, when Veterans Court was created more than ten years ago its purpose was to serve a segment of society within the justice system that had legitimate reasons to have trouble. The unique Veterans Court was founded to provide mentorship, guidance, treatment when necessary, and a community of support for struggling heroes. Its principles have since spread to surrounding counties. Where there is not an established Veterans’ court, jurisdictions can transfer cases and offer a second chance in Monroe County.
At left, a team of Vet to Vet Tennessee mentors advance support for a justice-involved veteran, arguing in favor of his accomplishments in Monroe County Veterans Court on March 27, seeking leniency from Judge Dwaine Thomas.
For its first commencement of 2024, local and regional vets were identified by their mentors for sticking with court provisions.
“We’ve got an important day, eight JIVs graduating,” Vice President of Vet to Vet Tennessee Jamie Sands said. JIVs – Justice Involved Veterans – are paired with Vet to Vet Tennessee mentors, an experienced company of volunteers who hold their partners accountable and guide them through a restorative process. Each mentor is likewise a veteran who understands the challenges of military duty. “We would not be here or have this program without Judge Thomas,” Sands said. “The mentors are the other half of it.” Veterans Court’s mentorship process takes time.
Six months, a year, or longer depending on the person, each JIV is given the task of confronting themselves and encouraging wellness in others. When they are ready, a commencement is held. JIVs are publicly recognized, applauded, and encouraged.
Chad, a JIV presented for graduation, told the court he moved to Tennessee in 2023 and hit a downward spiral. “Thank God for the PTSD clinic at the VA,” he said. “It saved my life and gave me the best outlook I’ve had in months.”
Graduate Anthony: “This all started when I made a bad decision. This program gave me a second chance.” Judge Thomas said the Veterans Court held two goals: first, to restore justice and repay a debt of honor to America’s heroes, and second, for graduates to find the next person struggling and continue the process of leadership. Grad Carter: thankful to Vet to Vet Tennessee and the Monroe County justice system.
Eric, appreciative of his wife and Vet to Vet Tennessee for not giving up on his second attempt, “I didn’t think it would have been possible for me to stop,” he said.
From his bench at the helm of the court, “I see younger faces in the crowd. It’s time for the younger generation to step up and keep this going,” Thomas said, “I hope this is an institution in Monroe County forever.”
JIV Susan could not attend but Stacy said he had to pick his battles, his inner war raged, and mentorship had shown him a different path to follow.
Second chances don’t always come easy, according to JIV Kevin. “When I started this, expecting the worst, Jamie Sands kicked me in the rear,” Kevin said, “Lou Danner is the only therapist I’ve ever wanted to talk to, I couldn’t ask for anything different.”
Henry’s experience, a group effort, and multiple mentors. “I thought I was alone,” he told the court. “I gave up all hope. Younger guys help your fellow veterans and fellow people. I thank God I’m not alone. Beverly (mentor) kept answering the phone even though I stumbled.”
Completing the ceremony, JIVs were presented with a Challenge Coin as a reminder of the importance of a phone call and the responsibility to be there for someone else, each grad receiving a certificate to mark their progress, a one-of-a-kind dog tag pressed in Madisonville, and a “You’re Worth It” shirt, it’s message: veterans’ lives are worth fighting for too.
Big thanks are given to all the invisible moving parts powering Veterans Court, in no particular order, Veterans Service Officer Andy Boyd, county mayor Mitch Ingram, Madisonville mayor Gus Davis, county clerk Dewayna Martin, public defender Jeanie Wiggins, Beverly Powell, district attorney elect Steven Hatchett, Vet to Vet Tennessee mentors, the Helen Ross McNabb Center, and local law enforcement.
The Monroe County BUZZ. Lucas Boring. April 13, 2024.
