Veterans Treatment Court graduating class honored

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The 41B District Court Veterans Treatment Court held a graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of five participants on Oct. 10.

The court aims to help people who have served their country learn to navigate the court system. This is done through a judicially supervised, mentor-oriented treatment program assisted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“This program will increase public safety by stabilizing, rehabilitating and reintegrating substance-free veterans back into our community,” the court’s website states. “It will also mend families and give hope to those suffering from the disease of addiction, while fostering healthy, long-term lifestyle changes. All veterans will be treated equally, with dignity and respect as they work toward long-term recovery.”

Chief Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca of the 41B District Court, who presides over the treatment court, said the program has been around since 2012. Fuca said the ceremony was appropriately timed since it was held on World Mental Health Day.

“Really, all of this is about better mental health,” Fuca said. “Each of us needs to work on our own mental health each and every day: not just the individuals in the program, but really all of us. It’s such a big problem for people today.”

The judge explained how there’s more potential stress in the modern world and the importance of finding time for self-care.

The court’s graduating class included Jason Hosking (U.S. Air Force), Nicholas Stevenson (U.S. Army), Ethan Vallen (Michigan National Guard), Dallas Pruitt (U.S. Navy) and Gregory Maddox (U.S. Army). All the graduates thanked those involved with the program and their loved ones for their help.

Hosking said he had to swallow his pride in order to get better. He said much of it came down to the question, “How bad do you want this?”

“I would encourage anybody, at whatever stage at or wherever you’re at in life, to take advantage of what they have to offer here,” Hosking said.

Stevenson made an analogy to “The Wizard of Oz” when he stepped up to the podium. He said starting the program was like Dorothy landing in Oz and being confused. Along the way, Dorothy makes friends who help her get back home and get past all the obstacles in her way.

“As you go it gets easier because now, you’re not by yourself,” Stevenson said. “You realize you don’t have to be as nervous, to be as afraid, because you have help. That’s what this program feels like.”

Ethan Vallen urged those veterans living with addiction and who are caught up in the court system to embrace the program. He emphasized you cannot do this alone.

“It’s OK to have vulnerabilities,” Vallen said. “It’s OK to be mad, sad, frustrated and even ashamed. It’s OK. However, it is not OK to let those emotions ruin your life, grasping so tight you need to rely on your substance abuse. Believe it or not, in this court, and this particular program, you are not alone.”

Fuca relayed a quote from Pruitt when she introduced him: “Recovery is more than abstinence.” He said that following his time in the military, he almost lost his freedom and his life. He said the program provided a welcoming space.

“You’re surrounded by people who genuinely want you to succeed and direct you to the resources to help you,” Pruitt said. “I hit a lot of my big life milestones throughout my time in the court. I’m super grateful to every single one of you for every piece of advice or encouragement you’ve given me.”

Maddox, a cancer survivor, read the “Footprints” poem. The Christian poem, which different authors claim to have written, discusses how God is present in life during hardship.

“My journey in the program, where I started, kicking and screaming would be a good way to describe it,” Maddox said. “I was fighting against myself. I was fighting against the program. I just had to come to a realization that everything happens for a reason.”

Vallen received the John Anklam Award, which is named after program mentor John Anklam. Defense attorney Jennifer Chupa received the Terry Award at the event. The award is named after program graduate Terry Theuninck.

Clinton Township Trustee Tammy Patton presented each graduate with a T-shirt, commemorating the achievement and each graduate’s individual military branch, and a bag with some stress-relieving items.

U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, a U.S. Army veteran, spoke at the event and talked about his background in the military.

“I am not the guest of honor,” James said. “You are the ones who fought and are prevailing every single day, making that choice to make yourself, your community and your families better and stronger. I am proud of each of you.”