Cruise-in Fundraiser for the Clark County Veterans Therapeutic Court

The itsy-bitsy spider Climbed up the water spout Down came the rain And washed the spider out

Out came the sun And dried up all the rain And the itsy-bitsy spider Climbed up the spout again

As we get older and our children have grown and began families of their own, we tend to forget little things we heard from our parents to teach us how to handle our own adulthood. We use them for our own small children, but once they are grown and gone, little lullaby’s like above seem to slip from our minds.

Perhaps you’re wondering just what a children’s lullaby has to do with the Clark County Veterans Court Board or feel lullaby’s have no place in dealing with troubled Veterans, but this one does.

It provides a very simple message to all of us, “don’t give up.”

Those few Veterans experiencing trouble readjusting and the community both need to remember to never give up on each other. Veterans, don’t give up on yourselves either.

Our community not giving up is the premise behind the Veterans Court Board that “provides a means to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and providing them with the tools they need to lead a productive and law-abiding life through treatment, rehabilitative programming, reinforcement and judicial monitoring.”

Even though few in number, every Veteran deserves a chance before they go too far and let their particular demons take over them.

As much as the Veteran needs to not give up, the community can do much to also not give up. Qualified community members can apply to be a mentor to these Veterans, but even if you don’t qualify as a mentor, the Court can use your donations to remain in existence to continue helping these Veterans.

While donations to support the Veterans Court can be made at any branch of the Columbia Credit Union or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 61628 Vancouver, WA 98666, public events are scheduled too for the community’s enjoyment and to seek donations.

July 14, 2012 is the next scheduled event and promises to be very entertaining. A Press Release received from the Court says,

“On behalf of the Clark County Veterans Court, Jett Burger Cafe, located at 3531 SE 2nd Ave., Camas, WA 98607, (360) 335-1430 will be hosting a free Cruise-in Concert to benefit veterans in Southwest Washington. On Saturday, July 14, 2012 the entertainment will start at 2 pm with One of a Kind Drumline who has performed at the Rose Garden. Siarra Edmondson performs at 3 pm and 4 pm. Jesse Wade Holyk at 3:30 pm and 5 pm. Ashton Rogers at 4:30 pm and 6 pm and award winning vocalist Petya Grozeva at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Internationally Acclaimed Classical Guitarist Ernesto Quilban will perform for an hour at 7 pm and World Ranked Elvis Tribute Artist Mark Stevenz closes out the concert at 8 pm.”

See Cruise-in Flyer here.

Also scheduled is a special appearance by Col. Dan Kern and some other surprise performers and free gifts and face painting for children, a free fun day filled with entertainment and surprises for all who can attend. And any donation you make will go to help those few troubled and deserving Veterans.

In the late 1980’s, Carly Simon released a song, “Coming Around Again” and combined it with “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” one of my favorites. The chorus goes,

“I know nothing stays the same
But if you're willing to play the game
It's coming around again
So don't mind if I fall apart
There's more room in a broken heart”

Anybody who has served in war will not be the same. But let’s help those few who need and deserve it by “playing the game,” supporting our Clark County Veterans Therapeutic Court before they reach the point of “falling apart” by helping to mend, not so much a broken heart, but possibly a broken or damaged spirit.

Those few deserve our help in “coming around again” to be productive law-abiding citizens.

Enjoy Ms. Simon as she sings her song, but let’s also support our Veterans Therapeutic Court by coming out July 14.

You will have a fun day.