Stand Down 2011 Helps Those Who Served

The , held at the state Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill Friday, gave needy, sick and homeless veterans a chance to receive services that they need but often cannot afford on their limited budgets.

“This is a place where you can get help,” Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz said. “You see a lot of services that they (needy veterans) won’t normally be able to get.”

The 16th annual event allows veterans to receive medical, dental and behavioral screenings. Schwartz said that the volunteer dentists have found suspicious lumps on the veterans’ gums and been able to get them treated right away.

“We saved their lives,” Schwartz stated.  

The gave veterans tests for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and combat exposure.

Veterans could also work with public defenders and the Department of Motor Vehicles to get their licenses back.

Clothes, barbers, hot meals and lots of information were provided for veterans. They were able to receive medicines, apply for jobs with CTWorks and get their eyes examined by the Lions Club.

“There are so many veterans that are one paycheck from being homeless,” Schwartz stated.  “What you see today is Connecticut at its best.”

Stand Down is completely funded through donations and does not receive any state aid, Schwartz added.

“We stopped saying it’s an event. It’s a happening.”

The Connecticut Stand Down has the highest attendance of any Stand Down in the country, according to Schwartz. She said that is due to the hard work of the Department of Transportation in providing free rides for veterans from 11 cities in the state.

“Our outreach is all over the state,” Schwartz said.

Robert Kent of Norwich served in Vietnam. He was homeless and addicted to alcohol. However, Stand Down and its services have helped him get sober and find a new home.

“It’s the best thing to happen to homeless veterans,” he said about the “happening.”

Kent, who has been sober for three years, said Stand Down allows him to receive “basic needs” and talk with “old friends.”

“I am truly grateful. This means a lot to me.”

Tyron Fernandez of New Haven, who was getting a haircut and a new winter jacket, echoes Kent’s sentiments.

“It means a lot to me. Stand Down is a very, very good thing.”

Mary Alice Sullivan is a volunteer with Foodshare and was helping determine if the veterans at Stand Down were eligible for SNAP, which is the old food stamps program.  Sullivan said the program helps provide people with a “vital” service.

“You don’t know how good it feels to put food on someone’s table.”

Foodshare, which is located in Windsor, serves Hartford and Windham counties and has mobile trucks that go throughout the state, including Avon, Manchester and East Hartford.

Schwartz took time to reflect on 9/11 and how the World Trade Center Attacks “made us more united.”  She said Stand Down is a chance for people to “help your neighbor.”

“I am not sure that has filtered through the last ten years, but it is here today.”