Montgomery County, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) —  The Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) hosted its largest promotion ceremony in the history of the program on Tuesday, November 12.

The program, now into its sixth year of supporting, aiding, and assisting military veterans and active-duty military, graduated 18 men and women from Phase IV, the final court-mandated phase of the program, into Phase V – VTC for Life, a sustainment phase designed to offer veteran participants the life-long opportunity to utilize VTC services and support.

Because there were so many graduates, this week’s ceremony was held in the County Commission Chambers at the County Historic Courthouse rather than Judge Kenneth Goble’s courtroom. Generally, there are seven to nine graduates recognized at the ceremony.

There to encourage these graduates were Judge Kenneth Goble, Representative Curtis Johnson, Representative Jason Hodges, Senator Bill Powers, County Mayor Jim Durrett, Sheriff John Fuson, Clarksville Police Chief Al Ansley, the VTC team, VTC mentors, family members, Montgomery County Veterans Coalition members, Team RWB, and other supportive members of the community.

“It may seem counterintuitive for our law enforcement leaders to be here today, yet they consistently come to our ceremonies to show these men and women that they care about them. Thanks also to our state representatives for attending the ceremony and to Mayor Durrett and the County Commission who make this program possible,” said Judge Goble.

Army (Retired) Sergeant Major Donnie Isaacs was the keynote speaker.

Isaacs served on active duty status in the United States Army for 29 years. He was deployed in Afghanistan in 2008 and was involved in multiple combat operations and subsequently served as the mayor and operations 1st Sergeant of Camp Stone in Herat Afghanistan.

“You are lions among sheep,” Isaac said. “You make up less than one percent of the population and you are worthy to find help. Don’t ever sell yourself short.”

Isaacs followed his words of encouragement to the veterans with a song dedicated to soldiers co-written by him and another military veteran.

 

Following the keynote speaker, VTC mentors spoke about the people they mentored and were followed by the participants who shared their experience in the program, what brought them there, and how their lives have since changed. The consensus was that the program helped them to find a greater meaning in their life, sobriety was extremely beneficial to their lives, and having a plan was key.

 

VTC Director Edward Moss expressed his pride in what the participants had accomplished through the program. “The people here today are here to support you. You are Veterans Treatment Court members for life, and we are always here for you,” said Moss.

 

The following participants successfully completed the program: Alyssa Hiles, Amanda Hill, Brent Haydu, David Tuller, George Taylor, Gregory Porter, John Frye, Johnny Washington, Joshua McKown, Justin Smith, Labeeb Taylor, Megan Marshburn, Nolan Larson, Robert Watts, Robert Whipple, Willard Kean, William Larsey and William White.

 

To see the full VTC Phase V ceremony, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPENs620FE. To find out more about the VTC program go to mcgtn.org/vtc or call the office of the VTC at 931-245-3180 ext. 11247.