LAKE COUNTY — When a combat unit in the field has been withdrawn and moved back to a base camp for rest, recuperation, training and reequipping, the term is called stand down.
The annual North Bay Stand Down, a community effort to bring services, support and dental, medical and mental health care to former military men and women, will take place at the Dixon-May Fairgrounds in Solano County from Oct. 15 through 17.
The community effort is directed to veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
Life on the street is both dangerous and debilitating and for many veterans, leads to a self-generating cycle of despair and isolation, according to Sgt. Tom Benton of North Bay Stand Down.
Stand Down began in 1988 by Vietnam veterans in San Diego as an intervention to bring a wide range of services to homeless veterans, while raising their morale and awakening their motivation, Benton stated. The goal was to break the cycle of homelessness and change the lives of the veterans who attend.
Homeless veterans are in need of dental and eye care; medical and mental health care; hot showers; a clean, safe and secure place to sleep; hot food and new clothing.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs supports Stand Downs all across the nation with medical and mental health care, Benton stated. Stand Down could not exist without the involvement of the surrounding communities.
The area of operation for the North Bay Stand Down includes the counties of Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.
Those who want to help can participate in any of the following ways: make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer to help where needed, sponsor a meal, donate professional services and donate food, clothing or other items. Veterans can also help by talking to homeless and at-risk veterans.
For information, call 344-3743, email nbstanddown@sbcglobal.net or visit www.nbstanddown.org.
