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2005-07-02

"stand down" Part III

"STAND DOWN" PART III

On Saturday, June 25th I met with Veterans from as far back as the Korean conflict  and their supporters who have not forgotten the cost of war - in a "Stand Down' held in the desert community of Lancaster, California.

A 'Stand Down' means "a temporary stop of offensive military action".

War affects everyone differently, yet in many ways there are underlying currents that are the same. Generally they have a hard time coping with changed situations at home, work, and in general the community. They return to the seemingly more mundane way of life that is no less still filled with a different sort of tension. Paying the bills, going to the store for food, making sure there is a roof over their families heads.

Physical and mental problems start to manifest themselves in the returned veteran. Most veterans are lucky to have someone to come back to, and then there are those that are not so lucky. They have a hard time expressing how they feel unless they are very lucky to have a spouse or friend that is willing to listen to what they are trying to get out over a long period of time. All too often, in the past, as now, marriages have ended in divorce. How does this bode for the new veteran today?

Most are just going through the motions of life. Many times hitting rock bottom and with nobody that they know ever understanding why this is happening to them.

While the vets at this stand down seemed to be worn down and just plain tired, there was alot of life still showing in these aged eyes ... life waiting to get out, longing to recover their lost dignity once more. This was the crux of the matter for many of the Veterans in attendance - no home, no one left to care or ever did care - they just need a hand up, not a constant handout.

That is the heart of a "Stand down' - help for those in need. A place to come and share the pain and the glory with 'friends' who understand.

Medical forms and supplies are given out, a few personal items to help see them through, lots of good food and comrades to share a pleasant day.

Yet there are still many more veterans to be reached. Even those that are coming Home from those many conflicts that are are still going on in our great big wide world.

If there is a Veteran somewhere in your life who needs help in any sort of way, have them go to the link below, so they too can start on that road to finally come home.

Also if there is a VA hospital or clinic nearby get them to go there to get help as so many before them have.

http://www.nchv.org/veterans.cfm


copyright © Chris Klasinski







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