by Seth Sjostrom

The service our veterans and their families provide our country is heroic even if they (and we hope they don’t) ever see a battlefield. For veterans returning home, they often find they have sacrificed more than we ever could have asked of them. Homes, jobs, physical and mental health are all on the line. War is terrible, coming home shouldn’t be.

The Clark County Veterans Court Board is an organization that helps veterans throughout SW Washington who have struggled. Physical injuries and emotional scars can surface in the form of substance abuse, family strife and even aggression. The Clark County Veterans Court Board helps our local veterans reintegrate and thrive when they are at their lowest. Fellow veterans from peer mentorships helping returned soldiers navigate the Veteran’s Administration health, legal and support systems. Judge Darvin Zimmerman understands the challenges veterans face and is the founding judge of the veteran’s court as well as its tireless organizer and advocate.

On Saturday, April 27th, the Luepke Center will be the site of a family friendly multi-act pop and country concert. Headlined by Ricky Lee Jackson with Shawna Quade and the Jackson Band, the concert features two performance times. A matinee kicks off the day at 2 p.m. and is capped by an evening 5 p.m. concert. Joining Jackson and crew are National Fiddler Champ – Cynthia Hamm with Don MItchell, Jesse Wade Holyk, and The Washington Old-Time Fiddlers. Miss Clark County’s Outstanding Teen 2013 Dayzsha Ab-Rahman and The Young Marines will also be taking part in the festivities. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be provided by Goldies BBQ.

Where have you heard of Ricky Lee Jackson? The patriotic, family-focused crooner is Dr. Rick Jackson, owner of Ashbrook Family Medical. His wife, Jeanine, is the founder of Ashbrook Aesthetics. The talent in the Jackson household doesn’t stop with Ricky Lee. Fans of ABC’s “Nashville” will recognize son Jonathan who also fronts the rock band Enation with his brother Richard and bandmate Daniel Sweatt. Prior to the show “Nashville,” Jonathan was a staple on General Hospital for years as “Lucky Spencer”.

Enation’s songs have been featured on the show “One Tree Hill” and MTV.com. Richard has had his regular stint in Hollywood with the show “Ally McBeal”. Ricky Lee’s daughter Candace is a prominent attorney and published author best known for setting the political world straight.

Ricky Lee himself has been on the national stage, performing his song “Freedom, Family and Faith” on the morning show Fox and Friends. Other than practicing medicine and parenting exceptionally talented children, Jackson is most widely known for performing for benefits. Putting his voice where his heart is, Jackson delivers an inspirational message in his music, befitting of the lives the concert hopes to touch. Come support local veterans who can use a hand up. Bring your family and your appetite along with open ears and hearts on April 27th.

The Luepke Center is located at 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, WA. Get tickets at www.clarkcountyvetscourtboard.org, Ashbrook Medical Family Practice or Ashbrook Aesthetics located at 5512 NE 107th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98662.

About the contributor: Seth Sjostrom is a local resident and author. His novels Blood in the Snow, and Finding Christmaswere released in 2012. Blood in the Waterreleases this spring. Seth co-produces the children’s magazine Kids Ink NW and I s a regular contributor for Lacamas Magazine. For more information on Seth or his books, visit www.wolfprintpublishing.com.