Veterans, Volunteers stand up for Homeless Vets
The long red line of VA volunteers backs a pair of Battle Buddies during the 2012 Orlando VA Stand Down Sept. 29.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- On the sun-drenched Saturday, they came in whatever attire would bear them out. Some in shower shoes, others in worn blue jeans and T-shirts bearing logos of decades past. Still others came in crisp button-downs and polo shirts as though interviewing for a job. All were Veterans, and all came from the Orlando streets.
At the Downtown Orlando Recreation Complex, the Orlando VA Medical Center stood with more than 30 partner organizations to support America’s homeless Veterans during its annual Veterans Stand Down Sept. 29. Its goal: provide services and support from benefits registration and housing resources, to the most basic needs in food, clothing and medical care.
More than 250 homeless Veterans attended the Stand Down that began for them much like their military careers had, with orders.
A continuous single line of the men and women who had fought and served bravely began forming at the center’s southeast entrance around 7 a.m. Members of the local U.S. Marine Corps Leathernecks Motorcycle Club greeted each Veteran warmly and directed them to a processing table staffed by volunteers eager to enter names, dates and qualifications into a central database.
Once in-processed the guests received orders in the form of a wristband that granted them access to the compound. Once inside another table awaited, this one filled with VA volunteers who immediately signed the Veterans on with VA organizations for the benefits each had earned in service. From there the guests paired with a Battle Buddy as an escort. A long line of VA volunteers clad in red shirts met and greeted the Veterans with hugs and handshakes and the day began. Stops included a food trailer that served breakfast and later a full lunch, and clothing tables that offered duffels filled with the necessities of street living, backpacks for personal use, and clothing meant for business attire.
A covered eating area and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2093 Community Band bridged the gap between the tables and the complex’s Old Davis Armory building, where volunteers escorted their Battle Buddy inside to meet dozens of vendors and service organizations ready to assist.
Goodwill, The Salvation Army, transition houses, Veterans service organizations, job placement firms, colleges, health services and even the Paul Mitchell Beauty and Cosmetology school, joined with VA professionals and spent more than seven hours donating their skills and talents to the benefit of America’s homeless Veterans.
Battle Buddies shared the experiences and challenges of armed service as they roamed the myriad of vendors. Flu shots and dental screenings were offered and accepted; food banks provided information and resources; showers were available, as were free telephone calls, recovery and ministry services throughout the afternoon.
Timothy W. Liezert, Orlando VA Medical Center director, and many members of the medical center’s senior staff were on hand to meet and thank both the Veterans and volunteers.
“It’s an amazing sight watching the hundreds of veterans and volunteers filling the complex this morning, a sight that fills your heart with pride and breaks it all at once,” he said. “It’s sad that there is such a great need for the homeless in our great country, but heartwarming to see our communities come together in support of our great American heroes.”
Stand Down 2012 furthered the mission of the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program -- to end homelessness among Veterans through outreach efforts and community partnerships.
For more information about the Orlando VA Medical Center, visit www.orlando.va.gov.
