Third annual Stand Down to bring assistance to area veterans
Officials from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post say that it is often veterans and veteran organizations that see needs and help solve problems for other veterans.
Governments, with their plethora of programs, sometimes miss the mark or leave unfulfilled promises when it comes to those who have enlisted, served and returned home, they say.
But that doesn’t mean help isn’t available, according to Terry Randolph and Linda Chezick of the International Falls VFW Post and Ladies Auxiliary. Programs change, new initiatives are added and sometimes it is hard to find the right person to answer a particular question.
“It’s important for any veteran in Koochiching County and the surrounding area to know what is available to them through the government,” Randolph said.
That is the purpose of the third annual Stand Down — to help veterans connect to each other and any assistance they may need. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Backus Community Center auditorium.
A Stand Down refers to a period of time in the military when men and women return to home base and are able to rest and catch up on things — like read mail, make phone calls and get a haircut — they would not normally be able to do in the midst of service.
“I think we’ve touched a lot of people,” Randolph said. Turnout at last year’s event was even larger than the first year, and due to responses already received, he said hopes this year’s event at Backus will help even more veterans.
Randolph said that one of the biggest problems they have seen locally is getting help to rural-area residents. The large distances that separate some veterans from both the Stand Down and other government offices deters them from getting assistance they need.
The Falls VFW is putting out a call to organizations in those areas — such as VFWs, churches and service groups — as well as veterans, to share rides and help veterans attend the Stand Down.
“It’s for all veterans,” explained Chezick. “Even if they think they don’t have a problem, even if they want to come in and have a cup of coffee and a doughnut, or have their lunch and sit at a table and they may see somebody that they know.
“Veterans will talk to veterans when they will not talk to anyone else. Even if a veteran comes in that doesn’t have a problem, he may sit down and maybe the person across from him feels like talking about something and he may even help that person.”
Services available are to include: state and federal Veterans Administration benefits information and claims assistance, legal assistance, tax assistance, housing and employment assistance, haircuts and public benefits.
And sometimes the information that can be gained is unexpected. Chezick said, for example, that “for returning veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, they probably don’t know they can get free hunting licenses, free fishing licenses. Unless somebody tells them, they probably don’t walk in and say, ‘I just got back from Iraq, can I get a free license?’”
The event is co-sponsored by the Falls VFW and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.
Veterans are asked to bring proof of service for faster registration. A free lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Free local transportation will be available through the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
For more information, contact MACV Duluth at 218-722-8763.
