Victory for Veterans Program Helps Veteran Turn His Life Around

PAID CONTENT | sponsored by St. Luke’s University Health Network

Daniel Smith, the confident, well-dressed gentleman who periodically appears before Judge Joseph Matika in Carbon County, bears little resemblance to the confused man convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in March 2023.

Thanks to St. Luke’s Penn Foundation’s Victory for Veterans, an innovative grant-funded program aimed at reducing suicide among veterans, Smith has turned his life around.

As part of Smith’s rehabilitation treatment, Robert Brands is Smith’s mentor at the Veteran Treatment Court.

Brands manages St. Luke’s Penn Foundation’s Victory for Veterans, which provides support to veterans in Carbon and Schuylkill counties, especially those at risk of suicide.

Carbon County had the highest veteran suicide rate in Pennsylvania when the program was established in 2022.

The program is funded by a $535,424 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Program, named in honor of a 20-year-old soldier who committed suicide.

Smith, 56, served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1988. Due to federal budget cuts, he was honorably discharged early. Shortly after returning home, he began using cocaine and drinking heavily. About three years ago he switched to methamphetamine.

In 2023, he was arrested for his seventh DUI, the fourth in a year.

As part of a plea deal, he agreed to participate in a 28-day inpatient rehabilitation program, followed by attendance at the Veterans Treatment Court of Carbon County. The program promotes sobriety, recovery and sensitivity to provide veterans with the opportunity to become healthy, productive members of society after a DUI conviction.

To make matters worse, the day he was accepted into the drug treatment program, Smith used up his remaining “supply.” Then he received an unexpected visit from his new probation officer. Smith admitted to using drugs and was arrested for possession.

“Afterwards I praise him because otherwise I don’t know where I would be now. I would probably still get in trouble,” Smith said. “I have been clean since I completed the inpatient rehabilitation program.”

As part of his sentence, he attends Carbon, Monroe and Pike’s drug and alcohol counseling and support group meetings twice a week.

He also meets with Brands, who was recommended by Christine LeClair, director of Carbon County Office of Veterans Affairs. Brands served in the United States Marine Corps as part of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Since its inception, Victory for Veterans has helped 78 veterans and their families. Brands believes that the interaction between these individuals and peers has significantly reduced the suicide rate among veterans.

“Fortunately, I get to help veterans and family members who are having a hard time,” Brands said. “Not all of them have great endings. But Dan has shown that progress and change are possible through trust and a strong work ethic.”

Brands accompanies Smith to court and sees him at diners and coffee shops for casual conversations. Smith often meets Brands at 6 a.m. to walk the D&L Trail, a testament to his dedication to staying clean.

On the contrary, when Brands first contacted Smith, he avoided him until Brands finally tracked him down at the courthouse. Slowly, over time, they developed a mutually trusting relationship.

But Brands said it was a new suit that brought about Smith’s change in attitude. Brands encouraged Smith to clean up for his court appearances and arranged for Victory for Veterans to buy him a suit, the first he ever owned.

“When I first appeared in court, I had a bad attitude,” Smith said. “I was slumped. I was sloppy. If I come now, I’ll be clean shaven. I get up. I don’t lean on the stage. I am very attentive. Everyone can see how positive I am.”

Brands said his appearance reflects how Smith sees himself now.

“Wearing that suit strengthened Dan’s belief in himself,” Brands said. “From the moment Dan put that on and walked in, he looked proud, confident and in charge of his own destiny, which he is.”

Contact Brands at 272-212-1052 or [email protected] for information about the Victory for Veterans program or to make a referral.

U.S. Army veteran Daniel Smith, left, talks with Robert Brands, manager of St. Luke’s Victory for Veterans, an innovative program aimed at supporting veterans and reducing veteran suicide. The pair often meet as early as 6 a.m. on the D&L Trail. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO