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McGuire Airmen stand up at 'Stand Down'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Francis Lalic
  • 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  In a concerted effort to give homeless veterans "a hand up, not a hand out," more than 65 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing paid tribute to veterans during operation Operation Stand Down 2008 held at the Pennsylvania National Guard grounds in Philadelphia Sept. 5-7.

"This massive effort was undertaken to ease the suffering of up to 500 homeless men and women in the Philadelphia area, who have served honorably in America's armed forces and are now down on their luck and desperately in need of help," said Jerry Jonas, Operation Stand Down executive director.

Now in its 19th year, Operation Stand Down is a nation-wide event that refers to an episode of rest and re-supply for exhausted combat troops with emphasis placed on friendship, hope and pride.

"Our ultimate goal is to restore their self worth and dignity," Mr. Jonas said. "The non-traditional program strives to gain the veterans' trust and encourage their participation."

Stand Down is a military term that refers to the custom of allowing units suffering from battle fatigue an opportunity to take a break away from the front.

"We attempt to impact and positively change the lives of these homeless veterans and their families," Mr. Jonas said. "It's the classic example of veterans striving to help fellow veterans with a hand up -- not merely a hand out."

The first Operation Stand Down was started in 1988 by a group of Vietnam vets from San Diego, Calif. Since then, stand down events have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless veterans.

In 1994, Philadelphia's Operation Stand Down was established. The event was then held annually the weekend after Labor Day.

The annual outreach program gives homeless veterans and their families access to a safe, alcohol-free, violence-free, drug-free environment with necessary next-door services.

During the three-day event, hundreds of the homeless participants received a wide array of services, including temporary shelter, legal assistance, clothing, medical exams, dental care, mental-health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, personal hygiene, full-course meals, free transportation, and even haircuts.

"It is a good program and definitely helps the homeless veterans to get away," said Anthony Blackwell, a 10-year Army veteran and Stand Down participant. "It is also a stress reliever."

Additionally, the event provided referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment, substance-abuse rehabilitation treatment and religious ministry.

"At Stand Down, we are able to mingle with other veterans and see everyone's needs," Mr. Blackwell added. "It also gives us a short way to do everything we need in just one place."

To date, Philadelphia's Operation Stand Down is one of the largest of its kind across the United States.

Philadelphia's Stand Down is a non-profit event, organized and run by volunteers; mostly active-duty, National Guard, Reservists and retirees from all branches of the military, in collaboration with the local Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We worked side-by-side with fellow members of the local community as well as former and current military personnel, including Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine veterans," said 1st. Lt. Bruce Johnson, 817th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron.

"Working with these individuals presented an outstanding opportunity to hear of battles fought long ago, directly from the men and women who helped shape our military history," Lieutenant Johnson said. 

Airmen from the 621st CRW assisted with set-up and tear down, security, escort duties, and handing out of clothing and food.

Lieutenant Johnson said, "the courage and warrior spirit of our brothers-and-sisters in arms is truly inspirational. Helping the homeless veterans get a hand up was very rewarding. Hearing their stories truly puts things into perspective.

"Society has, on occasion, forgotten the bravery of our military personnel, leaving many of them out in the cold in their time of need," the lieutenant added. "Being able to assist in an effort to get those people back on their feet and let them know that they have not been forgotten is an unforgettable experience."