Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Ahtossa Fullerton, the judge who handles cases in Marin County Veterans Treatment Court, is the featured speaker at Marin County’s Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at the Marin County Civic Center.
Fullerton was appointed to the Marin bench in 2024 following a law career in private practice and is a former director with the Marin County Bar Association. She earned her bachelor's degree from UC Davis, a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Santa Clara University School of Business. In addition to Fullerton, personnel from the Public Defender’s Office, the District Attorney’s office, the County Sheriff’s Office, the Probation Department, and the Marin County Veterans Service Office all contribute to the functioning of the Veterans Treatment Court.
Starting in 2021, Marin joined hundreds of other jurisdictions across the nation in offering the specialized court to provide a rehabilitative option to military veterans who become involved in the judicial system. Completion of a program can give the vets a diversion from incarceration and a legal clean slate instead of a blemish on their record. The program is led by the Marin County Superior Court in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local service providers.
The November 11 event begins at “zero nine thirty” – or 9:30 AM in civilian-speak – inside Exhibit Hall at the Marin County Fairgrounds (20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael). The traditional salute to all servicemembers will be hosted and led by the Marin County United Veterans Council, which represents local veterans organizations and military family support groups. The gathering, sponsored by the County of Marin, honors all Americans who served in the line of duty with our military forces, with a special emphasis on Marin’s own heroes.
Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11, no matter on which day of the week it falls. It is observed as a federal closed-door holiday by the County of Marin, other government offices, and many businesses. This Veterans Day will mark the 108th anniversary of the end of World War I. The armistice agreement that ended that conflict was signed in the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
The Exhibit Hall doors open to visitors at 9 AM. Starting at 9:30 AM, the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band – fondly known in Marin as the Sewer Band – will play 30 minutes of traditional patriotic and military music. The ceremony then starts at 10 AM and will include short speeches from the representatives of the United Veterans Council’s member organizations. Sean Stephens, the event’s master of ceremonies and a U.S. Army veteran, is president of the United Veterans Council.
The program will feature the singing voices of Marin Golden Gate Barbershop Chorus, presentation of colors by an honor guard, a bagpiper, and recognition of local elected officials and veterans group representatives.
Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts during and after the ceremony. Afterward, visitors can stop at information tables from veterans' organizations and vendors, grab a hotdog or hamburger, and check out the display of vintage military vehicles from the Joe Garbarino collection just outside of Exhibit Hall.
The Marin County Veterans Services Office, a division of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), guides military vets and their families to receive the benefits they’ve earned. Vets can get connected to mental health services, medical services, court-related services, social services, tuition aid at local colleges, pensions, military discounts, and death benefits for spouses of those who have served.
The Marin HHS Veterans Services is at 10 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, along with the VA Vet Center on site to provide timely assistance to an estimated 8,000 veterans living in the county. Contact the office Mondays through Thursdays by calling 415-473-6193 or visit the website.