Annual Veterans Stand Down serves dozens of vets in first day; event continues Thursday
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The sixth annual Lake-Mendocino Veteran Stand Down and Homeless Veteran Resource Fair is under way, with local veterans who want to know more about the resources available to them encouraged to stop by on Thursday.
Day one of the stand down saw an estimated 60 local veterans receive a variety of services and assistance, according to Amanda Celli, member services representative for the Clearlake VA Clinic’s community based outpatient clinics.
This year’s event is being held in Fritch Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
Fritch Hall is lined with tables featuring more than 25 service providers from local, state and federal agencies, Celli said.
This year’s number of service providers as well as volunteers is larger, according to volunteer Bob Penny, a retired veteran service officer for Lake County.
Veterans receive wrist bands when they arrive, go through an intake process and then can visit with dozens of service providers.
Frank Parker chairs the United Veterans Council’s Stand Down Committee, which is hosting the event. He said organizing the stand down is a year-round undertaking, with activities getting busier in July as they make final preparations.
He said this year volunteers came from as far away as Fort Bragg and Willits.
For homeless veterans, there were tables piled high with jackets, backpacks and other olive drab items that Parker said were donated by the US military, along with clothing donated from other sources.
Parker said the United Veterans Council works closely with the Yuba Sutter Stand Down, an event which draws about 1,400 veterans compared to the annual average of 160 in Lake County.
Also offering assistance is the American Red Cross and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 223 out of Santa Rosa, which Parker said provided food for the Lake County Stand Down.
Veterans attending the fair can get lunch, as well as free haircuts and even use the new mobile shower unit provided by Adventist Health Clear Lake.
Celli said there is still availability with One Justice’s Estate Planning; please call 415-534-5878 to schedule.
Those offering information to veterans this year included Red Cross, Area Agency on Aging, Child Care Services, the Employment Development Department, Woodland Community College, Hospice Services of Lake County, Community Care, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the veterans service offices for Mendocino and Lake counties, Cal Vet, the Veteran Crisis Line, Disability Service and Legal Center, and Veterans Resource Centers of America.
Another group on hand was the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, which had a table to recruit new members, ideally retirees with time to devote to the group’s important work.
Formed in 2001, the team has offered military honors – including gun volleys and the playing of “Taps” – at more than 1,600 funerals, all in Lake County, according to Rich Fiero, one of the group’s leaders.
Fiero said they have 25 members and were hoping for a few more. “We’ve had a few bites,” he said of potential members on Wednesday afternoon.
The stand down continues on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For those veterans needing transportation, Parker said Lake Transit will provide free rides to veterans. They just need to show proof of service, which can include a VA identification card or DD214 form.
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