28-03-2025
Salute to Service: Judge James Blanchard
(WJBF) – Each month, we spotlight one of our men and women in uniform who continues to make a difference in their community.
We had the honor of speaking with Judge James Blanchard, and it's very clear why he's this month's Salute to Service Honoree.
From 1961 to 1967, Judge James Blanchard spent time in the Marine Corp Reserves.
'Well I'd been brought up to respect your country, to honor your country,' said Judge Blanchard. 'I had relatives that served in World War II, I had Relatives serve in World War I and in Korea, so I thought it best to at least get in the reserves, It was probably one of the best things I ever did in my life, I learned discipline, respect for my country, I learned you need to pay back, you need to be ready if they call you to go, and we were ready.'
With the Columbia County Judicial System Veterans Court, Judge Blanchard and others help veterans who may need a second chance.
'You hear from them from time to time as they're going through the program, where they're getting jobs offered to them, where they've had problems and overcome them,' said Judge Blanchard. 'We also have a curfew officer that will go by their home at night, and that curfew officer is the eyes and ears of the court. He see's what their home and living condition is like, whether they have supplies or they have needs and we try to work through that, but the veterans, when they complete the program, or get in upper phases they will let you know that they appreciate the service.'
Blanchard isn't alone in helping. A big part of the program are the mentors.
'It's changed all of our lives that are mentors because we get to give back just a little bit,' said Gary Smith, a mentor. 'But I can see in the participants that they're successfully employed, they're candid with the court, they tell the truth all the time even when they're not asked and those are small improvements that in the long term will help the community.'
'It's very personable, it's not like a normal court that you would see and it gave me the opportunity to come in and help the veterans,' said Stephen Shelt, a mentor. 'We're there to help them, like if they have a VA problem, we can help them with that or just talk to them.'
'It made me be a better person, because if they're being held accountable, then I need to be held accountable,' said Robin Young, a mentor. 'I have to be here on time, I have to be available to them and the judge has been so supportive to us mentors, as well as his staff.'
The mentors appreciate everything Judge Blanchard is doing.
'He loves his fellow man, he loves the community and as a result of that he want to take the same people who have the same love for humanity and have served their country and restore them and that's a tough job to do, to bring people who have maybe committed some violence, a crime against a community, restore them and bring them back,' said Smith. 'It's a noble and great thing to do.'
'He really feels for this court and these individuals because he really wants to help them and you put all that together you get an outstanding individual who has a heart, who wants to give back to the country, who believes in these young men and women that they can do better,' said Tony Meade, a mentor.
When Blanchard found out he was receiving the Salute to Service award, he knew it was a team effort.
'I was humbled because I don't deserve the award, the people in this room deserve the award. Our mentors, our staff – they are the ones that do the ground work,' said Judge Blanchard.
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