Veterans Stand Down connects veterans to services, one another

Nov. 14--HERMITAGE -- More than 50 veterans attended the fifth Mercer County Veterans Stand Down event and resource fair Wednesday at the Hickory VFW.

The original Stand Down took place during the Vietnam War to provide service personnel with a "safe retreat for units returning from combat operations." Those Stand Down events gave veterans an opportunity to address personal hygiene, receive medical care and eat and enjoy camaraderie with each other, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

Mercer County Veterans Affair Director Bradley Alan described the local Stand Down as a "mind, body, spirit" event.

"We're trying to share resources and information to improve the lives of those who have served," Alan said.

More than 50 vendors turned out to offer services for local veterans, said Lori Johnson, Mercer County Community Action Partnership planning and development manager.

"I can't believe how generous everyone in this community has been," Johnson said of the vendors. "The community at large has donated enough money to feed veterans all day. We actually had to turn (vendors) away."

Organizers of the Stand Down event provided veterans and homeless veterans with education, information and a wide range of services including food, medical and mental health assistance, flu shots, haircuts, winter clothes, job counseling, referrals, companionship and camaraderie, according to Community Action Partnership.

In addition to serving veterans, the Stand Down event was a networking opportunity for local agencies who don't know each other, said Wilma Torres, Community Action Partnership executive director.

Ron Collett, Veterans Affairs outreach coordinator in Butler County, said he attended the Stand Down event to educate and inform veterans and encourage them to enroll in VA healthcare.

There's a misconception veterans will automatically be seen at the VA, Collett said.

"You have to enroll," he said. "We try to get out there to to help facilitate that process."

Air Force veteran Mike Latsko of Sharon attended the Stand Down event to see what kind of organizations and services were available to him, he said.

"I just want to know whatever is there in case I need that kind of service," Latsko said. "I got some very practical objects -- blankets, socks and gloves."

Lt. Col. Larry Scheetz, recently retired Mercer County Veterans Affairs director, was a member of the Stand Down committee.

"There was a lot of information shared back and forth," Scheetz said of the Stand Down event. "That was the big win."

In addition to serving veterans, Scheetz said the Stand Down committee aimed to use the event to help service agencies to communicate with one another.

"It's something veterans earn and deserve because of service to their country," he said. "There is help out there. They just have to reach out."

Buhl Regional Health Foundation, Sharpsville High School student volunteers, Hero's Angels,Therapy Dogs International, Youngstown Bluecoats, Shenango Valley Urban League, Seniors Helping Seniors, Adventures in Training with a Purpose, Community Counseling Center of Mercer County, Pennsylvania CareerLink of Mercer County, Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County, Keystone Blind Association and the American Red Cross were among the 56 vendors who offered services to veterans at the Stand Down event, according to Community Action Partnership.

Like Heidi Warren on Facebook or email her at hwarren@sharonherald.com.

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