Leadership and trust are two of the most important values the United States military relies on, Acting President of the United States Veterans and Memorial Museum U.S. Army (Retired) Col. Bill Butler said, and they are also essential to any organization to be successful.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio celebrated veterans this month by inviting Colonel Butler to speak to Court staff. Colonel Butler has experience leading troops into combat having been deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan and was the military technical advisor and stuntman for the movie Black Hawk Down.

“It takes time and energy to lead by example, to develop young leaders and effective units and most importantly to build and maintain trust,” Colonel Butler said. "A well-functioning team with an inspirational leader is a great thing." 

Colonel Butler told the Court staff stories about how trust that he developed with his team during training played a large role for them being successful on the battlefield. He said lives were saved and missions were completed because of teamwork and effective leadership.

 "There are few things more rewarding than working on a high functioning team that are in sync with one another, all working for a common goal and invested in each other," Colonel Butler said. 

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. The Court’s Diversity Committee hosts several presentations throughout the year celebrating diversity and exploring what everyone can learn from other’s experiences.

Court staff also took time during the event to learn about and celebrate the Veterans Court program the federal courthouse in Dayton runs. U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman spoke about creating the program to help veterans who were charged in federal court – often stemming from an alleged misdemeanor incident at the Dayton Veteran Affairs building or the Wright- Patterson Air Force Base.

He said many veterans he sees in the program need help and don’t have basic items like furniture or a place to live. The veterans are often addicted to drugs, too.

The six-month program lets veterans express what they are going through in open court and get support from court and VA officials, as well as other veterans.

“Men and women veterans were able to get off drugs and remain free from them,” Judge Newman said.  

 Judge Newman said the program is the best thing he has ever been a part of as Judge.