Attend the Chamber's May Membership Meeting presented by Wells Fargo, "Echoes of War: The Combat Veteran in the Criminal Justice System." In addition to having the honor of hearing from two U.S. Army Veterans as our keynote speakers, we'll recognize new members and announce our Celebrate Business Success Award recipient, all over a delicious lunch at Oak Marsh Golf Club.
More than 2 million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most return home stronger from their experience. A significant percentage, however, bring their war home with them in the form of invisible injuries. Hundreds of thousands have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. History tells us that significant numbers of these troubled returning veterans will land in the criminal justice system. Minnesota is currently leading the nation in how we are dealing with this newest generation of veterans when they return home and find themselves in trouble.
Brock Hunter is an attorney and former Army Scout who has represented veterans in many high-profile cases. Brock also helped draft and pass Minnesota's Veteran Sentencing Mitigation Act and has since consulted with a number of other states in passing similar legislation. Brock regularly speaks across Minnesota and around the country on effectively dealing with veterans in the criminal justice system.
Hector Matascastillo is a former Army Ranger and Special Operations soldier with 13 combat deployments over an 18-year career. Hector's PTSD led to an armed standoff with police in 2004. He was given a second chance in his case and has made the most of it. He is now a social worker and clinical therapist working with veterans and other survivors of trauma. Hector's story shows what is possible when a veteran is given the opportunity to get treatment and become an asset, rather than liability, to his community.
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