Editor’s note: This is part two in a two-part series looking at Big Island Veterans Treatment Court, its successes and financial uncertainty. On Sunday, a graduate talked about his journey from addiction and PTSD to a sober, healthy life. Today’s story details one man’s graduation from the program.
HILO — Nolan Remmers stood in front of about 20 people, placed an army-pattered bush hat on his head and flipped a red, white and blue graduation tassel to the left.
Remmers was graduating from Big Island Veterans Treatment Court — the first in the Hilo court and the fourth in the entire program.
Remmers joined the program in October 2016. He recalled the judge asking him why he wanted to attend veterans treatment court.
His response was simple: “It’s supposed to help veterans like me.”
After an argument with a family member, Remmers was charged with terroristic threating and assault on a police officer. The veteran said he hadn’t heard of the specialized court until his attorney recommended it to him.
Remmers served three tours in Vietnam from 1967-70 before he was sent home.
“Reason I did that I didn’t want people to fail and not make it back home to their families,” Remmers said as he sat quietly outside the Hilo courtroom prior to the ceremony on March 16.
Members of the court recognized Remmers’ strong bond he’s carried for his fellow veterans since that time in Vietnam.
“When Nolan was coming up on his graduation interview he didn’t want to leave because there were seven others still in court,” deputy prosecutor Glenn H. Shiigi told the audience in the Hilo courtroom.
Remmers survived the war, but his time there was not soon forgotten.
“When I was in Vietnam there was no such thing as PTSD. You self-medicated,” Remmers said.
The veteran said he was wasn’t a drug user so he turned to alcohol.
Remmers was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He eventually started going to the Veterans Affairs Clinic.
“They have a saying: Once you pull the trigger you cannot stop the bullet. You got to walk away before you pull the trigger,” Remmers said.
Remmers was in the VA system for 18 years before he got the help he didn’t realize he needed.
“Coming to see the judge kept me straight,” he said.
Felipe Sales, Hilo Veterans Center director, said the difference between the VA and the veterans treatment court is choice. Veterans have to choose to be at the VA, whereas the court adds a level of compliance. The court’s future, however, is uncertain as state funds might not be secured to keep the program running.
“It’s not an easy track to be a veteran,” Sales said.
During his graduation ceremony, Hilo veterans treatment court Judge Greg Nakamura, spoke about Remmers. He said the veteran had an honorable discharge, but the military service didn’t leave the Hilo man unscathed.
“What is society’s response to veterans who get in trouble with the law? To punish the veteran — to punish the criminal? I don’t think that’s right or just,” Nakamura said.
Probation Officer Alika Querubin also stood and spoke about Remmers at the ceremony. He said the 67-year-old didn’t commit any offenses while in the program.
“He felt veterans treatment court helped keep him in check when he faced difficult challenges,” Querubin said.
Remmers was gracious and grateful to all who have helped in his journey to sobriety and conquering PTSD. However, the graduation was bittersweet.
“It makes me sad that I’m the only one standing up here today,” he said.
Remmers ended his speech with: “I want to thank you all for everything. Thank you so very much.”
