Stand Down stands up for vets' health

PABLO — With one of the nation’s highest rates of veterans per capita, Montanans certainly recognize the value of military service. And, as evidenced by the robust show of support at the volunteer-driven Veterans Stand Down held at Salish and Kootenai College last weekend, they also understand the importance of giving back to those who have dutifully served our country.

Dedicated to providing veterans and their families with resources that promote their mental and physical well-being, the Stand Down is “an all-in-one stop for VA health,” according to W. J. ‘Buck’ Richardson of the VA Rocky Mountain Health Care Network, a veterans advocacy organization that covers nine states in the region. Too often, the fight is not over for veterans after their service is through, as they return home and face a new set of challenges.

To give veterans some well-deserved assistance, Stand Downs were started in San Diego in the late 1980s, with the original intention of serving homeless Vietnam vets. Named after the military order for soldiers on the front lines to fall back for rest and supplies, Stand Downs have since grown to become a nationwide phenomenon, and now reach out to all veterans and their families. Richardson says that this is the fourth time the Flathead Reservation has hosted a Stand Down since 2002.

“It’s been a steady flow of people since we opened our doors,” said Richardson of the Friday morning turnout, adding that attendance was expected to exceed 500 people over the course of the two-day event.

Attracting a wide age-range of vets from the area, the all-encompassing variety of goods and services provided was almost as diverse as the veterans, themselves. Two 53’ semi-trucks full of supplies were required to deliver all of the materials that were to be distributed to grateful recipients.

Though the backpacks, blankets, clothing, food and other supplies handed out were small tokens of appreciation, they can make a big difference for vets in need.

Lloyd Jackson of Pablo, a Korean War veteran who serves as the Veterans Resource Officer for the area, explained that it’s only natural for ex-servicemen to look out for one another.

“The Stand Down is about camaraderie,” said Jackson.

“We try to cover everything,” Jackson said of the event’s multifaceted focus on wellness, which included health screenings at a mobile clinic.

Local Navy veteran Mike Couture was another one of dozens of volunteers running the event, and was joined in the effort by his wife and daughter.

“It’s a great thing for people that might not know about their benefits… Unless they ask, [veterans] won’t know what they’re eligible for,” Couture said of the Stand Down’s importance.

While the Stand Down provides attendees with warm meals and clothing to aid their well-being in the short-term, perhaps the event’s greatest benefit lies in its promotion of access to health care and mental health counseling for veterans who may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

But health care and other basic needs are only a couple dimensions of the complex problems facing many veterans. Jackson said that the biggest hurdle many discharged men and women face is finding a steady job.

“Getting a job is the first thing,” said Jackson. “Just getting accepted back into society [is a big challenge.]”