Judge Commends “Hard Work, Individual Efforts, Dedication
Affirming the “Vet to Vet Tennessee” rehabilitation program of peer support for service veterans recovering from mental health issues and substance abuse, Monroe County Judge Dwaine Thomas convened the county’s Veterans Court on Wednesday last week, graduating three military veterans and dismissing criminal charges against each one.
From left, mentor Gail Evans, Navy Veteran Tiffany Bernard, Vet to Vet Tennessee Vice President and Mentor Coordinator Randal Scott, and Judge Dwaine Thomas seated.
“Justice as a concept is putting people back into the place they were before they made a court appearance,” Thomas said. “And Vet to Vet Tennessee is a great program with great support for veterans who need help.”
In opening remarks and addressing a small crowd in his justice center courtroom, including the three graduates-to-be, family members, court officers, elected office holders, and others, Thomas said the staff of Vet to Vet Tennessee was performing “a great job putting its efforts into veteran services, a huge benefit to the county.”
Vet to Vet Tennessee President Ed Junod said the goal of the program was to provide a safe haven to any veteran within the area of service. “Vet to Vet Tennessee gives veterans a sense of worth that opens the doors to supporting and promoting their own recovery,” Junod said, “and being patients and supporters and through shared experiences and peer-to-peer support, veterans can gain strength, courage, and ownership when it comes to advocating their recovery.”
“Each one, reach one, teach one, the Vet to Vet Tennessee’s motto.”
How it works: a vet in trouble with the justice system must be recommended, and if accepted paired with a “mentor,” a vet too, who at one time had similar problems or addictions, and had earlier been accepted into Vet to Vet Tennessee, and there achieved success and graduation, staying close, ready to aid new members if needed, becoming a guide, rescuer, friend, and Thomas, not far away either, reviewing the once-troubled vet’s progress, achievement, dedicated resolve, and approving graduation, dismissing all charges.
“Vet to Vet Tennessee does all the work,” Thomas said, “and I hold court, which is the easy part.”
For the day’s graduation exercises were Tiffany Bernard, a US Navy veteran, Robert Merrell, a US Marine Corps vet, and John McKinley, a veteran of the US Army.
Each one stood before Thomas and received graduate commendations, a special graduate shirt, a unique Vet to Vet Tennessee “dog tag” created by County Veteran Services Director Andy Boyd, and an opportunity to speak directly to Thomas and exchange handshakes.
From left, standing, mentor Michael McGrail, Marine Corps Vet Robert Merrill, Vet to Vet Tennessee Vice President and Mentor Coordinator Randall Scott, and Judge Dwaine Thomas seated in the back.
Bernard: “This program has meant a lot to me. It has been tough, very tough, but I commit- ted myself to it, and it changed everything. Thanks to everyone. Plus, I quit smoking.”
Merrell: “I was very intoxicated when I was arrested. I was hiding from everyone. I was a hermit. This program is not easy. But now I’m enjoying my- self. I am social with my family and my friends, and I have quit drinking. Thank you, Vet to Vet Tennessee.”
From left, Vet to Vet Tennessee Vice President and Mentor Coordinatior Randall Scott and Army Veteran Johnny McKinley, and Judge Dwaine Thomas seated in the back.
McKinley: “Vet to Vet Tennessee did not give up on me. I went through three mentors. I contemplated suicide. I knew I needed help. I had multiple conflicts. I needed help. I spent 29 days in jail, in a safe environment. But I had to be honest with myself. Thank you, Judge Thomas. And as of right now I’m 200 days sober.”
Thus, it went. Emotional, yes at times, serious business. Happiness, you bet, smiling faces, more hand clasps, a new future. “Mission accomplished.”
And afterward, prior to adjournment, Thomas offered bench thanks with special recognition to several individuals who were on hand and who had been instrumental in continuing their support of Vet to Vet Tennessee and Veterans Court, including Veterans Service Officer Andy Boyd, Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram, and his staff, Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones and his officers and deputies, District Attorney General Steve Crump and his office, and Madisonville Mayor Gus Davis and the Madisonville Police Department.
“Each one, reach one, teach one.”
Article published in the Monroe County Buzz on Monday, July 18, 2022.
