After months of planning, a one-day event to help Borderland veterans in crisis will be held in International Falls.
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans in conjunction with the International Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars Peter Graham Post 2948 will host a “StandDown” event for veterans from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Kerry Park Arena at Fourth Avenue and Eleventh Street.
Falls VFW Commander Terry Randolph describes the event as an informal all-in-one venue that is tailor-made to reach veterans in need. He said the event was made possible through volunteers from community organizations in town.
Paul Pedersen, community outreach coordinator of the MACV Duluth office, said the term StandDown originated with wartime soldiers and describes a time of rest and recovery from combat operations in the field. It now applies to a 15-year state tradition of annual events that support veterans in need.
Pedersen said the office cubicle is not always the most comfortable place for veterans to share personal information with officials. The StandDown offers an open and friendly environment for veterans to interact informally with representatives in health care, veterans benefits, Social Security, taxes, legal, social services, employment and housing.
The event is open to all veterans with questions about support services, however, it is particularly aimed at veterans that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Family and friends of veterans that are not able to attend are welcome to present questions or concerns to the representatives. They will help with referrals and other information to bring back to their loved ones.
Veterans should bring a copy of their DD-214. Those without this military service documentation are still encouraged to attend.
For support services that are not represented at the event, MACV will arrange for referrals
Other support service areas at the event will include foreclosure prevention, federal and state benefits, job training resources, county community and social services, fuel assistance, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, bed mats and clothing to include boots and winter jackets.
There will also be tribal veterans services, counseling, chaplaincy and assistance to families with members currently serving in the armed forces.
The event will begin with coffee and donuts, a color guard ceremony and service. Margarete Kostiuk, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, will sing the National Anthem.
Vender booths will open at 8:30 a.m. Guest speakers will offer remarks at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is provided by staff of Veterans on the Lake, a resort for disabled veterans in Ely.
Kostiuk will close the StandDown with “God Bless America” at 2 p.m. Organizers noted that the event will remain open for as long as veterans are present and waiting to be assisted.
Approximately 26 percent of all homeless adult males in Minnesota are veterans, according to a 2004 Wilder Foundation study. Nearly half of homeless veterans in Minnesota are people of color. MACV is working to better outreach minority and American Indian veterans to the event.
The term homeless applies to people in shelters or living on the streets, but MACV expands the definition to include people at risk of homelessness. These are people that have difficulty finding rental housing and may depend on others for temporary living situations.
With offices in Minneapolis, Mankato and Duluth, the nonprofit MACV offers safe and drug-free transitional housing, along with supportive services to help get veterans back on their feet.
Pedersen, in his role as outreach coordinator, said that he wants the Falls event to draw Borderland veterans from Warroad to Grand Rapids to Ely. Some vans are coming from veterans organizations. Other ride-share transportation can be found by contacting the county veterans services office or local VFW.
For more information contact Randolph at 286-3099. To preregister, contact MACV at 218-722-8763 or online at www.mac-v.org. Contact the County Veterans Service office for ride referrals at 283-1179.
