Service Members Offer Assistance to San Diego-Area Homeless Veterans

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique Pineiro

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors from the San Diego area and other active duty and retired service members lent a helping hand to San Diego's homeless veteran population July 15-17 during the Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) Stand Down 2011.

The annual three-day event was held in a tent city erected by active duty military volunteers at San Diego High School's athletic field.

The VVSD Stand Down offered more than 1,000 homeless veterans with free services such as health/dental care, substance abuse counseling, legal and employment assistance and food and clothing distribution.

"This program helps people get on track, because there are so many (homeless veterans) who are helpless and hopeless," said Gary Cash, a homeless Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War with the 359th Transportation Company. "I see the vets that are being taken care of here that can't really be taken care of anywhere else. It's overwhelming, I really feel comfortable here."

Cash also expressed his gratitude towards active duty service members volunteering their time on the weekend.

"It's important that they're out here because it makes me feel like I'm part of a community again," he said. "I can also give them insight on what happens after you leave the military and tell them how they should get their (affairs) together or they can end out on the street."

Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton has attended the event for the past 24 years and said the services provided at the VVSD Stand Down give homeless veterans the opportunity to "feel like a human being again."

"They get fed, showered, a place to sleep, and can even get haircuts," he said. "They need to be appreciated for the service they've done. The purpose of Stand Down is to stand up and help them get that motivation they had when they were back in the military."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Andre Hardin, assigned to USS Peleliu (LHA 5), volunteered his time folding clothing to be donated to the veterans.

"They've given their service and now it's time to serve them," said Hardin. "I'm just trying to help the veterans get on their feet, it's nice to let them know there are people out there to let them know they're not forgotten."

VVSD organized the nation's first Stand Down in 1988. Since then, the program has been widely replicated nationwide. Today, more than 200 Stand Downs take place across the country every year.