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NORTH COAST STAND DOWN HAS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL

EVENT -- This stand down has seen more younger veterans,

more families with children and more pets than last year.

 

 

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Stand Down in full swing

by Laura Provolt

The second day of the North Coast Stand Down brought more than 200 veterans to the Humboldt County Fairgrounds Saturday to enjoy the company of other veterans, a variety of social services, a barbecued salmon lunch and performances by 10 local musicians.

Dave Stancliff, public affairs coordinator for the stand down, said this stand down has seen more younger veterans, more families with children and more pets than last year. He said there were more donations of goods and funds, and more volunteer participation than last year.

Bobbie Rosenthal, Veterans Integrated Services Network 1 homeless coordinator with the California Department of Veterans Affairs, said she goes to many stand downs across the country, and in many ways the North Coast Stand Down is unique. She said she has never heard of a stand down with a pet care area and an American Indian sweat lodge.

Rosenthal said the biggest problem she sees for veterans in California is affordable housing, and pointed out that many homeless veterans simply do not take advantage of the available services.

“That is the greatest thing about the stand down, is it gives the homeless veterans a break, gives them food and shelter and lets them relax a bit,” Rosenthal said. “The other thing is when you look around, you see them all talking to each other, sharing their stories. No matter how different their lives are, they share that common thread, and it is great to see.”

Rosenthal said the VA gave a grant of $15,000 to the North Coast Stand Down, and said there may be some grant money available next year if the stand down wants to add services such as dental exams.

Larry Connolly, who coordinated fundraising for the stand down, said the total cost to put on the event is between $40,000 and $50,000, all of which was paid for by community donations from individuals and organizations such as Rotary, the Lions Club and other veterans organizations.

Andy Durham, a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, volunteered again for this year’s stand down. A regular volunteer with the Redwood Vet Center, Durham is currently pursuing a degree in social work at Humboldt State University.

Durham said he is already “hooked up” with the available benefits, and said he wants to help other veterans receive the aid they deserve.

“I have a lot of gratitude for the veterans that have served to protect our freedom, and I am honored to do what I can to help them,” Durham said.

Bernie H. Herskovets, manager of the Eureka district Social Security Administration, said last year the Social Security booth helped about 10 veterans, but as of 1 p.m. on Saturday, it had reached more than 20. Of those, he said five were veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In a previous interview with The Eureka Reporter, Herskovets said Social Security is one of the biggest challenges for homeless veterans who may not have their Social Security card and therefore are not able to get many benefits.

By securing their card and Social Security benefits, veterans become eligible for many other benefits, Herskovets said.

“As a veteran myself, I have some compassion for the goal of this event, and am really glad to see how well this turned out,” he said.

Dennis Walsh, a homeless veteran temporarily staying at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Eureka, said he was impressed with the North Coast Stand Down.

“All the people here are so friendly and helpful; it has been a great experience,” Walsh said. “I went around to the tables, I had a great lunch and now I am chilling here listening to the music. This is a really great thing.”

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Larry Scott  --