VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County is holding an event this weekend to help veterans in need.
The Veterans Stand Down is Friday and Saturday at the Volusia County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The event is modeled after the stand down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat.
“The stand down kind of adopts that type of event where we bring a bunch of different resources to one location to help our veterans,” Special Projects Coordinator Scott Olson said.
Veterans and their families can stop by for free haircuts, clothing and lunch.
Meals were provided by Bull & Boar BBQ Supply Co. each day, and boxes of food were provided by Farm Share, a nonprofit food bank.
“I think everybody needs a little help these days, especially with the economy,” Olson said. “Prices of groceries, gas, everything has kind of gone up.”
Representatives from multiple agencies were also made available to talk about veterans benefits, career and education resources, homeless veterans resources, and health care information.
Sanford Dixon spoke with veterans about Old Glory Service Dogs 4 Veterins, Inc. The non-profit aids in the selection and training of service dogs to promote independence and support the physical and mental health of veterans and first responders.
“They match you with a dog and then you train that dog for the next year or two, so that you and the dog are literally one,” Dixon said.
Dixon said his dog, Biscuit, has been a big help for him at home.
“I’ve got PTSD and it’s really weird sometimes because I don’t know why I get so emotional, but having Biscuit, he really calms me down a lot,” he said.
For further details about Veterans Stand Down, click here.
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