Steven Ortiz knows he’s lucky to be breathing. He wakes up thankful every day. Not because he fought for our Country in the Army. And not because the enemy soldiers had him in their sights. “I was in two theaters, I was in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and I was in Operation Enduring Freedom,” said Ortiz. “It’s been such a long road since I got out. For the first 10 years, even coming back to
society was hard for me.”
Like many Veterans, Ortiz admits he turned to drugs. It was only within the past few years that he’s cleaned up his life and is now on the straight and narrow. It hasn’t been easy. He completed a treatment program and has tried to help countless other addicts beat their addiction, only to see some relapse, and many others die.
On Friday, Ortiz made the trip to Operation Stand Down, an event to help Veterans in need, get back on their feet. The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office participates in the Court functions, where those who served can ask a judge to forgive certain fees and fines.
Clerk Nikki Alvarez-Sowles explains, this is why her Office does what it does. “When you have something like Veteran’s Court where we’re able to help a Veteran who gave so much and sacrificed so much, that we can help them get back on their feet and get to a better day, there’s nothing better than that,” said Alvarez-Sowles. “That’s why we serve. We serve our community. We’re serving our Veterans.”
In Ortiz’s case, he owed more than $2,000 in fees and fines in closed cases. Judge Shawn Crane presided over the hearing and remembered Ortiz from previous hearings. Judge Crane Appreciated that Ortiz had turned his life around and was doing what he could to help other Vets. “Alright, Mr. Ortiz, we’re going to take care of that for you today.” Said Judge Crane. Ortiz replied, “That’s a lot of money, sir,” said Ortiz. “I appreciate that.”
After Ortiz left the makeshift courtroom, he was nearly in tears over what had just happened. “For the very first day, these people have done something,” said Ortiz. “As long as I know, don’t mess this up. (What I was given, the gift I was given.) And try to help others with it and just keep moving forward. Even if it’s just a kind word, c’mon you can do this. Even if it’s just encouragement, that’s what I try to give.”
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