event

Master Sgt. Richard Magoni and Tech. Sgt. Eric Malicki, both from the 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron, volunteer at the registration tent during the Stand Down. Team Hill had approximately 150 volunteers that helped throughout the day at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melissa Dearstone)

Stand Down serves veterans

Published Jan. 13, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Melissa Dearstone
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- The 2010 Salt Lake City Homeless Veteran's Stand Down was held at the SLC Veteran's Medical Center Nov. 5.

The Stand Down is an opportunity for the Veterans Affairs Hospital to offer services to homeless veterans from the Salt Lake City area.

The one-day event offered two hot meals, medical and dental services, haircuts, legal advice, job services and numerous other services that benefit our veterans.

"The VA has many stations set up from substance abuse to helping the veterans get into shelters, to talking to someone about any special needs they may have," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Corbett, Team Hill liaison with the VA hospital. "At the end of the day the veterans also receive a backpack full of clothes, boots and canned food to help get them by."

This event has been going on for years now and is an opportunity for Team Hill to give back to those who served before us.

"Without the help of the 729th Air Control Squadron and their equipment, as well as volunteers from Team Hill, the VA would not be able to pull this event off," said Corbett.

Master Sgt. Elizabeth Corbett, Stand Down volunteer coordinator for Hill Air Force Base, said this program offers veterans a chance to make connections that might help them get off the streets and it provides them a lot of resources.

It also gets them connected with the VA so that they can get treatment if they need it.

"I enjoy talking to the Airman and other volunteers and it gives me an opportunity to try to get back on my feet," said James Healy, Navy veteran.

This event is run once a year and helps hundreds of veterans and would not be made possible without the help of Team Hill and other volunteers.

"The VA relies heavily on the help of Hill Air Force Base and we do this event to give back to those who have paved the way for us to continue to defend our country and its interests and to show we care about our heroes," said Corbett.