Veterans host Stand Down

Gathering will be held at Sierra Pines Church

By Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Friday, May 02, 2008, 2:45 PM)

During the Vietnam War, when troops returned from combat operations, they headed for a stand down. At a secure base camp, they could get showers, clean clothes, warm meals, medical care and sit around shooting the bull with their comrades.

Veterans of the war took that concept and started stand downs here in the United States to help homeless veterans get the help they need.

"Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being," states the Web site of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

That's the goal of a new group in its plan for a Stand Down in the Mountain Area. Caring Veterans, whose slogan is Veterans Helping Veterans, invites any veteran from any era, from any military service to Sierra Pines Church of Oakhurst from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10.

For more information, call group founder Terry Cole at (559) 658-8939.

"It's an outreach for any vet," Cole said. "The main thing is to get vets into the system."

He said he wants all veterans to get the benefits they're entitled to, the benefits they earned. But first, he said, they have to find out what those benefits are.

Cole said vets will need to show their DD214s (separation papers).

Services at the Oakhurst stand down will include veterans counselors, a physical therapist, barber, physician assistant, benefit advisors and work assistance. Caring Veterans will have free boots and gear available, and free food will be served. There will also be music by Cross Roads.

The church is on Highway 49 at Covey Court, about 3 miles from Highway 41.

Caring Veterans, which meets the third Thursday of the month at the Old Kettle, has on its home page (www.caringveterans.org) this statement: "Caring Veterans Inc. is a nonprofit organization made up of veterans and concerned citizens who want to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families."

At the April 17 Oakhurst meeting (there is another chapter in Butte County), the members were discussing their concept for the group and, as Cole put it, "why we need to exist."

There are many veterans groups and each branch of the service has organizations, the men agreed.

Mike Parsons, the secretary and treasurer of Caring Veterans, said, "We want to be relevant today for the veteran of today as well as the veterans of yesterday."

The last Mountain Area Stand Down was at the same church in 2006. Caring Veterans and Cole were instrumental in that event as well.