Thursday, Sept. 11,2014 - Mason County Journal - Page A-15
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continued from page A-1
One day, he heard a report from a
local informant about an improvised
explosive device (IED) that threatened
American troops. As soon as he.warned
the troops about it, he heard a boom.
"I knew in my gut it wasn't good," he
said.
Several soldiers were killed in the
blast.
"I still hold that one very close and
feel guilt," he said.
Hutchings recounted other serious
attacks, including the time his armored
vehicle hit an IED.
"It's amazing any of us in the truck
survived," he said. "I get real hazy in my
memory."
The truck's armor was destroyed by
the blast; its run-flat fires were flat-
tened, he said.
Soon after, Michael Hutchings was
diagnosed with a traumatic brain in-
jury. Ai r being transferred back to
the United States, he
was diagnosed with
PTSD.
Michael Hutch-
ings told officers he
couldn't drive when
he came back home
because he would
speed and drive er-
ratically. He had
debilitating panic at-
tacks while driving
and in grocery stores.
Twice, he said, he
pulled a knife on co-
workers before real-
izing what he was
doing.
John Hutchings said his son has been
lucky to avoid the worst-case scenario
for veterans with PTSD -- confronta-
tions with law enforcement.
With the help of 14 medications and
therapy, Michael Hutchings said he is
living more normally with PTSD.
"My goal in working with my dad is
bringing awareness," he said.
guy like that, ex-
cept be his friend,"
Davis said. "Every-
body else has turned
their backs on them.
There's some people
we can help, some
people we can't help."
Davis served in
Davis the Navy from 1964
to 1967 in Guam on a
ship that transported
Marines to training exercises before
they went to Vietnam.
Davis said he got a glimpse of the
horrors of war.
"I lost a lot of friends, but I have
no combat experience, no boots on the
ground," he said.
The program is voluntary, but three
mentors are already signed up.
"I have plenty of guys who want to
step up, be trained to be mentors," Da-
vis said.
Davis is also working with fellow
veterans in the area
and with Harris
Haertel, coordinator
for Mason County's
Drug Court, to cre-
ate a veterans' court
in the county.
Like other thera-
peutic courts, veter-
ans' courts are de-
signed to divert mis-
demeanor offenders
through counseling
programs rather
than sentence them
to jail or prison time.
For example, in
Mason County drug
'=We don't need to
criminalize veterans
or criminalize the
mentally ill,"
John Hutchings, crisis
intervention trainer for law
enforcement
court, offenders are required to plead
guilty to enter the program. Once in
drug court, they must get a job or go
to college, go to counseling and attend
regular court dates to monitor their
progress. Afar graduating from the pro-
gram, their conviction is expunged.
In December, Davis traveled to
Washington, D.C., to attend the Vet-
John Hutchings leads crisis,inter- eran Mentor Boot Camp sponsored by
vention training, which, in part, teaches Justice for Vets, an organization that
law-enforcement officers how to recog- advocates for veterans' courts and men-
nize the signs of PTSD and hell ter, tor programs. :
ans suffering with the same problems Because they are so specialized,
as his son. veterans' courts are better able to re-
"We don't need to criminalize veter- spend to veterans' issues, according to
ans or criminalize the mentally ill," he justiceforvets.org.
said. Davis said he and other proponents of
Salisbury said more law-enforcement the veterans' court plan to make a pre-
officers should receive training on men- sentation to the Mason County Board of
tal illnesses such as PTSD. Commissioners on the feasibility of such
"I'm trying to get ahead of this issue," a program in the county.
he said. "I'm very focused on veterans, "The most effective alternative to
but I'm also focused on working hard in incarceration is peer-on-peer therapy,"
Mason County with my command staff Davis said.
to allow us to better deal with anyone • • •
who is struggling with mental health Mason County's one-tenth of 1 per-
issues. I'd love to be able to have all cent sales tax for mental-health and
my guys go through this training, but substance-abuse funds a contract with
there's no funding for that." Mental Health Professionals for veter-
• • • ans' case management.
A Mason County program still in its The case manager works with veter-
infancy aims to bring together recently ans and their families to help with fam-
arrested veterans with veteran mentors ily and personal well-being, education,
in thecommunity, financial management, and employ-
Davis is leading the effort to create ment and career management, accord-
the program, ing to Mason County.
"If you're dealing with veterans and Qualifying clients can receive these
you're not a veteran, you have no sway," services for free. To set up an appoint-
Davis, 68, said. "I try to match combat ment with Case Manager Leon Hug-
vets with combat vets." gins-Richard, call 451-0900.
When booking someone into the Ma-The Mason County Veterans' Adviso-
son County Jail, officers ask the suspect ry Board oversees the county's Veterans'
if they are a veteran. Assistance Fund. Honorably discharged
If the suspects answers yes, Salis- veterans who meet guidelines are each
bury said, the Sheriffs Office calls Da- eligible for $600 per year for help with
vis, who finds another veteran who can past due rent or mortgage, past due util-
offer to be a friend and mentor, ities, food, firewood or propane.
In July, seven veterans were booked Veterans' Service Offices are located
into the Mason County Jail, and in Au- in Shelton at Shelton Memorial Hall at
gust, eight were booked. 210 W. Franklin St. or call 426-4546
Davis is currently mentoring a Viet- and in Belfair at North Mason County
nam veteran still suffering from PTSD. Resource at 140 NE state Route 300 or
"There's very little I cap do for a call 552-2303. • ..
Lookin9 for a Home
City of Shelton Animal Shelter
Adoptions cost $75, which Tuesday through Friday. The
include vaccine, wormer, spay shelter is closed Saturday
/ neuter and a $10 city license, through Monday.
New dogs are brought in all Dogs available for adoption
the time. Call 427-7503 or visit include:
the shelter at 902 W. Pine St. Pit Bull M 3 yrs.
Dogs can be viewed at Shelton.
petfinder.com. Shepherd/Lab Mix M 4 yrs.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kitten Rescue
This time of the year our
kitten season has finally
arrived. We have a small
steady supply of healthy and
friendly kittens just waiting
for that purrrfect indoor home.
For more information go to
our website kittenresq.net or
call us at 360-426-2455 or 360-
584-0594.
Lucy
Pit Bull Terrier &
Australian Shepherd Mix
• Adult • Female * Medium
This beautiful blue eyed young
girl is Lucy. She is a very special
fun loving girl who needs a home
where someone will continue her
training with lots of love. She
knows how to roll over, sit, high 5
and just be a lady unless you toss a
Frisbeei then the game is on. Lucy
tells usshe really does not like
cats, so if you have cats, she is not
for you. Must have a 6 foot fence
and lots of time to spend with her.
She is a real love bug.
To meet Lucy please e-mail
thedoghouse309 l@hotmail.com
(360) 432-3091 We are located in
Shelton
Because they're part of
your family.., you want
the best care for your pets.
fm, H .forr
..... ........
81 SE. Walker Park Rd. • Shelton
(360) 426-1840
