RSS 2.0 FeedNovember 25, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Lending a hand to homeless Vets
Several hundred veterans lined up outside the Freeport Armory, waiting for food, clothing and a helping hand.
“Stand Down,” a military term first used in Vietnam, referred to a place of safe retreat where combat units could go to receive care and camaraderie in order to renew their spirits and well-being. Now it defines a nationwide movement that helps homeless veterans receive support services to lead happy, healthy lives.
On Monday, November 22, just a few days before Thanksgiving, several hundred veterans lined up outside the Freeport Armory, waiting for food, clothing and a helping hand thanks to the local Stand Down program spearheaded by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County. Most of these veterans are homeless or near homeless, individuals who have come to the aid of their country and now need assistance themselves.
“We want to help the vets get their lives back together,” said Pat Yngstrom of North Merrick, who is also the director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency. “It’s that simple and that hard. They need our help,” he said. “We’ve had about 200 vets come in so far today.”
Once inside the Armory, veterans have access to any number of services. They are assisted through different aid stations where they can receive information about benefits, employment, housing, medical care including substance abuse issues, mental health, as well as food and clothing. “We have 38 county and grassroots agencies here to help out,” said Mr. Yngstrom.
Mr. Yngstrom estimates that there are about 10,000 homeless male veterans in Nassau and Suffolk County and 1,950 homeless female veterans on Long Island.
Nationally, figures are more vague. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are 107,000 homeless veterans on any given night and double that many experience homelessness over the course of a year. Additionally 1.5 million veterans are at risk for homelessness.
John Javis, director of the Mental Health Association, said his agency had seen about “200 people or so today. We are seeing a lot of Vietnam veterans and some from the first Gulf War as well as veterans from the current war. Many are homeless and others said they are about to lose their housing,” he said.
This is not uncommon. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly half of the homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. Two-thirds of homeless veterans served our country for at least three years and one-third were stationed in a war zone.
“Many of these vets suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder but are reluctant to talk about it. But recovery is possible – with therapy and/or medication,” said Mr. Javis.
Additionally, these veterans are unable to find affordable housing and a livable income. The Stand Down program also provides food and clothing.
“We will give out about 80 complete turkey meals,” said Paule Pachter, director of Long Island Cares, which has a food pantry in Freeport. “It is heart-breaking to see all these people in need, but this is what we do.”
Additionally, the Vietnam War Veterans Association of Nassau County set up tables to provide cans and dry goods, and thanks to Dario’s Restaurant of Rockville Centre and DeBono’s Deli of Rockville Centre, who both provided a hot meal for vets and volunteers.
In closing, Commander Frank Colon, of the Nassau County American Legion, summed it up. “We must take care of our veterans,” he said. “Where would we be without them?”
Want to help? You may send a donation to: United Veterans Organization of Nassau County, 1624 Chapin Avenue, North Merrick, 11566, or contact Nassau County American Legion Commander Colon about how schools can assist veterans and soldiers at mfcolon517@aol.com.
