Challenge coins to be given to veterans who complete Veterans Treatment Court program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The new Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court says they have come up with a way to honor graduates of their program via a donation.

That court is designed to rehabilitate veterans charged with non-violent offenses and get back on their feet, similar to Mental Health Court.

Wednesday, retired Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond and current judges Boyd Patterson and Gary Starnes say after developing the program, they decided there needed to be a way to honor these veterans overcoming personal struggles.

Thanks to several donations, they plan to give each graduate a service coin similar to those given to those in active service.

Judge Patterson said, “These challenge coins that Sheriff Hammond has raised the money for, along with some donors, will be used not only to build that camaraderie among the fellow veterans who have completed our program, but also with our partners. Each one will get one of these as well, building a team spirit.”

The judges said that in their view, the Veterans Treatment Court program is off to a good start.