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'Stand down': Volusia County, local organizations hosting event for veterans in need

News-Journal - 12/9/2021

Inspired by history, Volusia County's Veterans Services Division is holding a "stand-down" event next week to help veterans in need of services.

On Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., those who served and their families are invited to the Volusia County health department's Daytona Beach office, 1845 Holsonback Drive, for free clothing, toiletries, food gift cards and a drawing for three $100 Walmart gift cards.

Nurses will be on-site for attendees who want to get their COVID-19 and/or flu vaccine, Pat Kuehn, a county spokeswoman, said in a news release.

Additionally, representatives from multiple agencies will be available to discuss benefits for veterans as well as resources regarding vocational services, education and homelessness.

Robert "Bob" Watson, director of Volusia County's veterans services, said the goal is to help veterans "in every area possible."

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More than a dozen organizations are volunteering their time and/or services for the event.

"It's amazing how it's coming together," Watson said by phone Tuesday.

He said it started with VITAS Healthcare wanting to make donations with veterans in mind, and as word spread, more organizations wanted to participate.

The list so far includes: Volusia County Veterans Services; Volusia County Health Department; VITAS Healthcare; CareerSource Flagler Volusia; Daytona State College; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Veterans Court representatives, a specialist from the Veterans Justice Outreach Program; Daytona Beach Vet Center; Changing Homelessness; Supportive Services for Veteran Families; Sherry and Tim's House of Hope; CarePlus Health Plans; WNDB; and Team Red, White & Blue.

Watson said he hopes to make the stand-down an annual event in Volusia County based on how many organizations offered to help.

During the coronavirus pandemic, veterans, just like so many others, experienced hardship.

But difficulties related to employment aren't new for veterans, Watson said.

"The biggest portion of our military is infantry, and those jobs don't cross over to a whole lot of occupations in the civilian community, so that's part of this too," Watson said.

In times of war, a stand-down was when "exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety," according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. "At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment."

Volusia County Veterans Services Division is accepting donations at 1845 Holsonback Drive.

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