VETERANS GATHER AT WEST END STAND DOWN

By Chris Cook - Forks Forum Editor

Veterans from the West End, Port Angeles and Sequim gathered Thursday, May 1 for the second annual Voices for Veterans West End Stand Down.

Veterans in need of help in applying for Veterans Administration benefits and other services, and veterans offering a helping hand to fellow vets, came together at the gathering held at the Forks Elks Lodge.

Ruth King of West End Outreach said the turnout topped the 2007 event, which drew about 85 veterans.
Assistance tables with representatives from agencies ranging from West End Outreach to a haircutter to Disabled American Veterans and information on the Forks Nazarene Church’s growing free lunch program were set up in the main Elks Lodge hall.

The Elks’s bar area became a general store where clothing, boots, camping gear, soap and towels and a wide variety of other items was provided without charge to veterans with Cheri Fleck from West End Outreach, Oliver’s Store owner Jo Sanders from the Upper Hoh Road and others helping out.

Health screenings and other services were also provided.

John Braasch, President, Voices for Veterans, traveled out from Port Angeles for the gathering. Braasch complimented West End veterans and the local community for their support of veterans programs.

Fleck handed out brochures for an upcoming veterans’ housing and counseling project known as “Sarge’s Place.” A couple locations have been chosen as possible locations for the facility, she said, with a grand opening planned by spring of 2009.
The brochure states that Sarge’s Place would be housed in three two-bedroom housing units and provide up to 10 ADA compliant beds. Veterans would be able to stay from one night up to one year.

The aim of the facility is to provide a safe and stable environment for men and women veterans who want to return to employment and those wishing to lead an independent life after transitioning from the service.

A case manager would be on-site to help vets.

Services offered would mirror many of those available at the West End Stand Down, but be available year-round. Vets would get help in obtaining Veterans Administration benefits, finding housing and work, receiving medical and dental benefits plus counseling for mental health and chemical dependency problems.

Veterans seeking a place at Sarge’s House would need to show they were honorably discharged from any branch of the Armed Forces, that they’d been homeless for at least one night, and be clean and sober and willing to live in a clean and sober type facility. The vets would also be willing to undergo a criminal background check.

Posted May 7, 2008