In a detailed article in the Sunday edition of the Eagle, staff writer Steve Ferris described the merits of the county’s veterans treatment court.

The court, through an intensive program that requires regular court appearances and meetings with a probation officer, gives our county’s heroes a second chance at a peaceful, successful life.

What higher calling or greater program could a county offer?

The Butler Eagle applauds the county for instituting and supporting the veterans treatment court, which requires the vets involved to submit to random drug tests, participate in community service projects and even includes written assignments.

The county could save money in tough fiscal times by dropping the 11-year-old program, but the regard for veterans felt throughout the county — and no doubt in the county commissioners office — is evident in the continuation of the veterans treatment court.

Of the 64 counties that make up Pennsylvania, 32 county common pleas courts have a veterans treatment program. It’s no surprise Butler County is among them, given its respect for those who signed on the dotted line and pledge to protect out county, state and country at all costs.

One veteran interviewed by Ferris suffered psychological damage as a military police officer when his detail included the morgue where some of the military personnel killed in a suicide bombing in Beirut were kept.

Jodie Snider said he crashed his motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol. As he prepared to plead guilt to the resulting DUI charge, Judge Timothy McCune, who presides over veterans treatment court, asked him if he had been in contact with anyone from the program.

A veterans justice outreach worker from the V.A., who was in the courtroom, eventually admitted Snider to the program.

Snider declared that the veterans treatment court saved his life, which was in a downward spiral.

McCune said seeing the program turn the lives of veterans away from addiction and mental health issues and toward sobriety and success is the most rewarding aspect of his 42-year career as a judge.

The Butler Eagle hopes this most worthy program continues indefinitely in the county, as we feel veterans deserve the very same thing they gave up when they agreed to serve our country … everything.

— PJG