News Release
The Honorable Susan Baker Ross
Presiding Judge Valor Court
Summit County Court of Common Pleas
General Division
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 31, 2024
Contact: Deniela T Williams
Public Information Officer & Community Relations Liaison
dwilliams@cpcourt.summitoh.net
330.643-7840
REMEMBER-REFLECT-HONOR
WARRIORS JOURNEY HOME OF NORTHEAST OHIO & SUMMIT COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS VALOR COURT HOST ANNUAL WITNESS TREE CEREMONY
Summit County, Ohio: Presiding Judge Susan Baker Ross and her Valor Court have once again partnered with Warriors Journey Home of Northeast Ohio to host their 2024 Witness Tree Ceremony.
Every day, an average of 22 veterans take their lives in the United States. In an effort to promote awareness of this tragedy, 22 dog tags are placed on Witness Trees throughout the state on a daily basis. “We have a responsibility and duty to remember our Veterans who may have returned home suffering from moral injuries as a direct result of their deployment,” said John Schluep, Founder & Executive Director of Warriors’ Journey Home Northeast Ohio.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be held each day November 1st thru 11th at 9am in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Courtyard, located at 209 S. High Street in Akron.
“The dog tags not only bear witness to the truth of each Veteran’s life and their extraordinary service to this country, but also to the availing need for preventative services for veterans,” said Schluep.
Presiding Judge Susan Baker Ross stated, “Our Valor Court team is grateful to share in this outward demonstration of homage to our veterans who suffer from internal wounds – wounds that many may never know about and wounds that we seek to heal in our veteran’s treatment court.”
This event also places emphasis on Veterans Day, which we celebrate nationally as a day when we say thank you to Veterans for their service. “Our Summit County Valor Court treatment team, participants and graduates are honored to support and attend the ceremony,” said Judge Baker Ross. “It is important for the community to continue to acknowledge and promote awareness of veteran suicides, and the Witness Tree ceremony helps to do both. We remain committed to partnering with organizations such as Warriors Journey Home to expand support and services to our Valor Court participants,” said Baker Ross.
For more information about Warriors Journey Home of Northeast Ohio visit: www.warriorsjourneyhome.org. You can also find out more about the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Valor Court by contacting Rachia Garrett, MSW, Program Coordinator and Community Development Director at 330-643-2311.
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Respectfully,
Deniela T. Williams
Public Information Officer & Community Relations Liaison
Summit County Court of Common Pleas-General Division
209 S. High Street, Akron, Ohio 44308
330-643-7840
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