While Narjes' case was pending, he completed a CNA certificate at Ivy Tech Community College and is pursing a master's degree. His goal is to treat soldiers and veterans.

He attended the ceremony after working a midnight shift at an area hospital, and he had to return to work Wednesday night. He said the graduation marked a new beginning for him.

"I managed all the stuff I went through instead of self-medicating," Narjes said.

Cantrell told the crowd gathered inside the auditorium of the Lake County Government Center that establishing the veterans court program was her greatest accomplishment in her 20 years on the bench.

After the program, Cantrell said she interacts more candidly with the veterans than she typically does in court. There are still 43 veterans in the program, and an additional 20 are awaiting evaluation to be admitted to the court.

"It's nice to see it to fruition," she said.

One of the men she got to know was Waldo Bryant, 79, who died two weeks before graduation. She commented to the crowd how he always wore his best overalls to the hearings.

"I miss the old guy, I really do," Cantrell said.