Three military veterans who were charged with crimes graduated from Lancaster County’s Veterans Court for a chance to have those charges reduced, dismissed and/or expunged.

The Veterans Court mission is “to promote public safety and reduce recidivism in a cost-effective way by providing veteran offenders with intensive Court supervision and a comprehensive Veterans Administration-driven treatment program.”

Three Marines servicemen graduated Thursday, earning certificates from Judge Jeffery Wright.

It was the 28th Veterans Court graduation ceremony as the program is set to reach its 10-year anniversary in a few months.

The graduation began with the presentation of colors, national anthem, and the anthem of each of the branches. Judge Wright recognized Vietnam War veterans to begin the ceremony.

Each Veterans Court participant is assigned a mentor, who is also a veteran. Mentors of Team Alpha include Missy Hinerdeer, Alex Degenhardt, Bill Gasperetti, Steve Adolt, Denise Erbal, Bob Chavous, Mike Heisey, Nick Burkholder, Matt Fasnacht, Chris Bradley, Steve McClune and Fae Skuya. Mentors of Team Bravo include Marcus Zito, Johnny Pistone, Art Cassot, Dan Natividad, Dave Ferster, Chuck Cott, Randy McGugian, Peter Beckary, Tom Gillion, Charlie Gross, Jeff Runz, Rob McMonigal, Rich Wilson.

Next was guest speaker Colonel Louis D. F. Frasche, a retired member of the U.S. Army. and retired member of the Air Force, who provided stories on the honor of being a serviceman and carrying the oath even when the uniform is not being worn. Frasche was presented with a blanket of honor with the Army seal on it, which the graduates draped around him as Judge Wright gave words of honor and respect.

The ceremony concluded with Frasche picking a winner from names in a fishbowl; names of participants who have achieved an outstanding accomplishment are placed in the bowl.

Before Judge Wright gave closing remarks, the graduates recited the general orders of Veterans Court in unison concluding with:

“To work as part of a team, accepting the help of professionals and my fellow veterans to successfully recover mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.”

Members of the Veterans Court include Karen Andreadis, Coordinator; Devin Orme, Senior Probation Officer; Stephanie Smith, Assistant District Attorney; David Romano, Public Defender; Carla Cyr, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist; Chris Constance, Director Lancaster Vet Center; Julia Hernandez, Drug & Alcohol Commission; Anne Bingaman, Law Clerk; Thomas Romanowski, Community Liaison; Eric Eshleman, Behavioral Healthcare Corporation; Christina Fluegel, LCP Counselor; Sergeant John Donnelly, Manheim Township Police; Trina Brown-Hinton, Treatment Court Clerical Specialist; Hamlet, Courthouse Facility Dog.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.