Part One
Almost 23.5 million Americans, including 1.7 million who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, are military veterans. The impact of war and military service on those veterans and their families is not limited to their deployment or their time in uniform. Post traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness can lead to homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Since 2008, special veterans courts have been established in nearly 40 jurisdictions around the country. Though they vary in specific design, they all coordinate services with the goal of successfully transitioning the veteran back into society. Local 12 Reporter Angenette Levy recently prepared a report on the Hamilton County Veterans Court that started earlier this year.
I am joined now by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Ethna Cooper who heads the Hamilton County Veterans Court. By Franklin, a Vietnam vet and participant in the veterans court. And by Sally Hammitt, who works for the Veterans Administration and is the liaison with the veterans court.
Part Two
A little over a week ago, the nation paused to recognize all those who have served in nation's military. In 2011, most people think of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and maybe Vietnam or Korea. This morning though, Local 12 News Reporter Jeff Hirsh and Photographer Ed Burkholder introduce us to one military man whose great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War.
