Annual 'Stand Down' aids Veterans

Homeless Veterans: Mike Richardson, left, and Rocky Frederick watch a musician perform at the North Valley Stand Down this weekend, where over 250 veterans received assistance.

Numerous U.S. military veterans, some homeless, arrived early to the North Valley Stand Down at Shasta District Fair grounds on Friday morning. Some even showed up on Thursday to help set up the tents and tables where visiting veterans slept or ate meals during the weekend event, coordinator Jim Richards said.

Despite hard rains on Saturday that blew down some tents, the fifth-annual event provided over 250 veterans with weekend lodging at the fairgrounds, food, clothing, medical, and alcohol or drug therapy if needed, volunteer Phyllis Eaves said. Veterans kept dry since they slept inside various buildings at the grounds, Eaves added.

One veteran, Ronald Lambeth of Roseburg, Ore., arrived to take advantage of the social security and legal services at the event.

"I can get everything done here in one day that would (otherwise) take a month," Lambeth said.

Other veterans had simpler needs.

"They helped me out with a lot of attire and winter clothing," said veteran Rocky Frederick, homeless, of Redding. "Everyone's been very nice."

Another homeless veteran, Mike Richardson, added that he was going to go to court later on Friday. A first for the North Valley Stand Down, representatives from Shasta County Superior Court arrived to help veterans with minor infractions, misdemeanors or child support issues, according to John Zeis, assistant court executive officer at the Stand Down.

Veterans then worked off their infractions by doing chores at the Stand Down, Richards said.

One veteran, William Paul Hayden Knight, said the Stand Down is valuable because it gets veterans together and allows them to ease each other through their current situation.

"Combat veterans no longer trust authority," he said.

With almost 150 volunteers, Richards complimented the great teamwork displayed by everyone. A former Marine, Richards added that all volunteer "units were on time."

"If our community didn't come together, we couldn't do it," five-year volunteer Terry Mikesell said.

Donations of money and supplies came in from a variety of businesses and veterans organizations. Among the volunteers were Chef Jim Leedy from Holiday Inn and 40 students from Chico State University.