Ernest Walker, 47, ordered food at a Chili’s eatery in Cedar Hill, Texas, on November 11. The Tex-Mex chain is among several restaurants that offer complimentary meals to both current and former service members on Veterans Day each year. Walker was waiting for his to-go order with his service dog, who was wearing a certified service tag and vest.

An elderly diner approached Walker and proceeded to question him about his military service. Walker, who was a member of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division from 1987 to 1991, was asked which unit he served. The man accused him of lying, saying “he was in Germany, and that they did not let blacks serve over there,” according to a post on Walker’s Facebook page.

Walker, who is black, dismissed the comments. However, a restaurant manager later stopped him from leaving with his food. The Chili’s employee said a fellow customer declared Walker was not a veteran because he was wearing his hat indoors and that he had lied about the service dog.

The manager demanded identification and kept on questioning Walker. Eventually, he took away Walker’s meal even though the veteran presented his military ID and discharge papers.

An upset Walker recorded part of his conversation with the restaurant manager on video, which he later posted on Facebook. The veteran said the incident left him feeling “grossly offended, embarrassed, dehumanized.”

On November 14 the restaurant chain’s president released a statement saying Chili’s had apologized to Walker and placed the manager involved in the incident on administrative leave. However, many Facebook users argued he should have been fired instead.

These courts are a type of “problem-solving court,” which are courts tailored to a specific population of people or addressing a certain realm of issues. The veterans’ treatment courts use a hybrid of drug court and mental health court principles to serve military and veterans, as well as active-duty personnel.

This past Veterans Day, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. praised the growth of these courts: “Veterans treatment courts are growing because they are working. Today, we are seeing firsthand that this initiative is saving lives and strengthening communities by helping veterans rebuild productive lives with their families.”

These courts promote sobriety, recovery, and stability to help veterans deal with serious problems of addiction, mental illnesses, and other disorders. Through a coordinated response that involves collaboration with the Veterans Affairs health care networks, Veterans Benefits Administration, the state DAV, and volunteer mentors and organizations that support veterans and their families, these courts are able to steer veterans clear of jail or prison time.

Indeed, these programs have helped veterans turn their lives around, avoid costly incarceration, and help reintegrate veterans into their communities and families. The program is a part of the state Supreme Court’s broader mission to help local trial courts implement best practices that improve service to the public. Michigan currently has 174 problem-solving courts that reach a reported 97% of Michiganders.

In November, the Michigan Supreme Court held a Veterans Treatment Court Forum, which brought together judges, administrators, mentors, and veteran graduates of these programs. Workshops were held to discuss the issues veterans face and the resources needed for these courts to properly address those issues – suicide prevention, online veterans assistance programs, and recruiting veteran mentors to be vital line of support for people in the program.

“Military veterans accused of crimes often present unique issues related to their military service,” said Judge Richard Bell, who presides over the Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court. “The veterans treatment court is able to bring a variety of resources to the issues presented by the veteran charged with a crime, and more often than not is able to redirect the veteran into the adoption of a positive lifestyle.”

In a year where good news for veterans has been at a shortage, at least Michigan veterans and their families can look to the growth of these courts as a positive. These courts offer the opportunity to address the underlying issues common to veterans. While it may be unfortunate circumstances that lead a veteran to these courts, veterans can count on these programs to give them a great opportunity to be reintegrated with their families and communities.

If you are a veteran and have criminal misdemeanor issues or VA disability issues, contact us for assistance.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Many of our clients our veterans and surviving spouses, on this day we honor their service to our country and the sacrifices that they, along with their families have made.

As a Michigan VA Accredited attorney, I am often taken aback at how many veterans need to fight so hard to earn the benefits that they have certainly earned, and often I wish that I didn’t have to get involved.  Often it’s my job as a VA Accredited elder law attorney to work to remove the roadblocks between veterans and their hard earned benefits, including aid & attendance.

Now, a question.  Do you know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.

It’s my honor to serve those who have served.  Thank you, and Happy Veterans Day.

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His father acquiesced and Robert McConachie joined the United States Marine Corps.  He was killed in action in Okinawa on June 14, 1945, in the final months of the war.  He was just 18 years old when he gave his life for his country.  However, Pvt. McConachie’s remains went unidentified for nearly seventy years.

In 1987, Pvt. McConachie’s still unidentified remains were delivered to the Army’s Central Identification Lab in Hawaii.  Recent advancements in DNA testing, however, have helped the Pentagon link them to his brother.  This year, nearly seven decades after his death, Army analysts positively identified Pvt. McConachie’s remains using DNA analysis and dental records.

Pvt. McConachie made his final trip home to Michigan this year.  The Detroit native was buried on November 3 with full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery west of Battle Creek.  The fallen soldier’s family now has closure knowing that he has been laid to rest in his home state of Michigan.

On this Veterans Day, it is an important reminder to thank those who serve our country in the armed forces.  It is also a time to reflect on those, like Pvt. McConachie, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue to live in a free country.

If you are a veteran and need assistance with a disability benefits claim, contact the experts at Legal Help For Veterans.  You can reach us at 800/693.4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

To learn more about Pvt. McConachie’s story, please visit: http://patch.com/michigan/wyandotte/world-war-ii-soldier-finally-laid-rest-0

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

OCBA’s Veterans Committee focuses on veterans’ issues including recruitment of OCBA members to take pro bono cases related to veterans’ matters, heightened awareness and increased observation of Veterans Day, support to deployed military through provision of care packages, sponsorship of a Veterans’ Speakers Bureau, and support of Veterans Treatment Courts (in lieu of traditional jail time for minor criminal infractions).

We are honored that Kristina was nominated for the position and pleased that she is bringing attention to veterans’ issues on a larger platform.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800