Dave Roberts served his country during a tumultuous time in our nation's history.

“I was in Vietnam,” he said.

Roberts served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1968, eventually retiring as a colonel from the Army Reserves in 2006. Now the Butler Township resident uses his experience to help fellow former soldiers as a mentor in the Butler County Veterans Court.

“I just try to be a support system,” he said.

Veterans Court aids veterans who have addictions and/or mental health issues and are facing criminal charges.

Roberts meets with defendants assigned to Veterans Court while they are undergoing its treatment program.

He adjusts the frequency and type of interaction based on the individual and circumstances.

Roberts, who previously was a mentor in the Dauphin County Veterans Court, joined the Butler program four years ago.

“It was shortly after it started,” he said.

Roberts said he firmly believes in the program.

“Not everybody gets the same shake in life,” he said. “We have an obligation to give a hand.”

Steve Todd of Cranberry Township coordinates the 10 active mentors in the program.

Todd, who served six years in the Army before serving another 20 in the Reserves, also retiring as a colonel, has been with the Butler Veterans Court program since the beginning in the fall of 2012.

“It's an extremely worthwhile program for vets,” he said.

Todd said the specialty court, which diverts people from jail sentences, is meant to solve the issues leading to veterans committing crimes.

“The goal here is to address the underlying problem,” he said.

Todd said the program is more extensive than the standard probation following a prison sentence.

“They have a lot more work,” he said.

VA Butler Healthcare works with the Veterans Court in treating the participants.

Todd said the key to mentoring is staying in touch with the participant, whether it be by phone, text or email.

“It's a variety of ways staying in contact,” he said.

Butler's Veterans Court is run by Judge Timothy McCune.

The participants regularly appear before McCune to report on their progress.

He cited the need for the program.

“They do have trouble reacclimating into society,” McCune said about veterans.

Todd agrees, saying there is a big adjustment leaving a combat zone behind.

“It's hard for them to calm down,” he said.

Todd explained that inability to relax can lead to substance abuse.

Veterans also may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, a brain injury or some other service disability.

Todd said current warfare in places such as Iran and Afghanistan is even more intense than traditional combat, in which there were hot spots such as front lines.

He said every area in affected sections of the Middle East are hot spots that could be attacked at any time.

“They're under constant stress,” Todd said.

Todd isn't the only member of his family supporting Veterans Court. His wife, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Debra Todd, encourages counties across the state to implement their own Veterans Courts.

According to the state Supreme Court administration office, 20 out of 67 counties, including Allegheny, Beaver and Mercer, have such courts now.

McCune said having the participants being mentored by other veterans is invaluable.

“They all have been through basic training,” McCune said.

The judge said people coming from the military have learned not to be open about their feelings.

“This is a pretty proud bunch,” McCune said. “They're trained not to ask for help.”

He stressed mentoring is a two-way street.

“It's a rewarding experience for them, too,” McCune said.

He said more mentors are needed.

“We have some new guys in the program,” McCune said.

To be eligible for mentoring, a veteran must have been honorably discharged.

Any veteran interested in becoming a mentor may contact Todd at sktodd@zoominterent.net.

For more information about mentoring, visit the state Supreme Court website at: www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/veterans-courts/volunteer-veteran-mentor-training-program.