NHB Staff Recognized for Supporting Kitsap Veterans 2012 Fall Stand Down

By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Kitsap County commissioner chair presented certificates of appreciation Jan. 18 to Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members for their volunteer efforts at the Kitsap Veterans 2012 Fall Stand Down.

"On behalf of the Kitsap County commissioners and the Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board, I thank those who provided support with their time and effort," said Rob Gelder, Kitsap County District 1 commissioner, who represented Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, District 2 and Commissioner Josh Brown, District 3, in the presentation ceremony. "We don't say 'thank you' enough and we could not do the Veterans Stand Down without the volunteers supporting those who went before them."

"It was a great experience to be able to pay back to those who have served," Veteran Stand Down volunteer Chief Hospital Corpsman Brian Dike. "It gave us the opportunity to share what we do, as well as spend quality time to hear what they did during their time on active duty. I learned a lot, not only about them, but also about ourselves. Helping out that day meant just as much to us as it did to them."

The Kitsap Veterans Fall Stand Down was held Sept. 22, 2012. Joining Dike as volunteers were Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Countryman, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Hess, Chief Hospital Corpsman Noel Gravina, Chief Hospital Corpsman Farrah Ocasio, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Dana Therkildsen, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rejoy Sison, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Brownfield.

"Supporting operational readiness missions is what we do," said Capt. Christopher Culp, NHB commanding officer. "One of the ways we do that is giving back to the community. Our command has always been actively involved in providing support to civic projects throughout our area. Its part of who we are and what we do."

The Veterans 2012 Fall Stand down, coordinated by Kitsap County Veterans Program, city of Bremerton, Kitsap SUN and Kitsap Area Veterans Alliance, provided an estimated several hundred veterans and family members a host of services and information, such as legal assistance; guidance on how to change child support payments; women, men and children clothing; hot meals; advice on dealing with foreclosure; hygiene items and shaving gear; groceries; haircuts; VA health benefits and VA claim information; employment referrals; dental screenings; vision screenings; financial assistance; sleeping bag and camping gear; housing options; Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom benefits information; free voice main and mail address, and other services such as free shuttle services to the event by Suquamish Warriors, Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans, and Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Building 9.