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REGION 8 VETERANS HELP HOMELESS VETS IN NASHVILLE

Region 8 Veterans showed their support of Operation Stand Down in Nashville from October 9th to October 14th. Veterans Committee’s from North Carolina, (3520 and 5285) Virginia (2069) and locals within Tennessee (1853) among others showed up on Tuesday October 9th to start setting up for the three day event.

Much work went into preparing the old Preparatory School in Nashville for the event. The Tennessee National Guard set up tents on the old football field for sleeping areas, barber shop, and relaxation areas. The gymnasium was redesigned to be an all purpose area for meal services and musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The UAW Veterans worked the three days before the actual stand down preparing bags of goodies as they are referred to for each homeless Vet that came to the event. In the blue backpacks provided by five local Veterans Organizations was put a toiletry bag that included soap, shampoo, washcloth, comb, and other items that may be needed. Also in the bag was a travel mug, toboggan, baseball cap, gloves, playing cards, and miscellaneous other items. As the Veterans went through the line the UAW Veterans also gave each one three pair each of T-shirts, underwear, and socks and a pair of shower shoes. Other Veterans Committee’s within Region 8 showed up on Friday through Sunday to show their support to include locals from Georgia, Alabama, and more from Tennessee.

On Saturday for lunch it was our privilege to not only help provide the lunch, but several members of the Region 8 Veterans Council helped serve the meals to the heroes at the stand down and the volunteers. Region 8 donated can huggers that was passed out to everyone in attendance at the noon meal.

It is very hard to put into words the feeling each and everyone of us get from going and helping make a difference in these men and women’s lives. They should never be forgotten, they served our country with pride and honor and we as American citizens should never turn our backs on them. I hope that we may continue to make a difference not only in Nashville each and every year but that each Veterans Committee in Region 8 get involved with a Stand Down or shelter that works with Veterans in your own areas.

Our hats off to the locals in Huntsville Alabama that took on the job of forming their own Stand Down and will be having their first three day Stand Down November 2nd through 4th. If you can in any way please show our brothers and sisters support in this effort.

We would also like to thank Donny Bevis, Assistant Director Region 8 and his wife and daughter for coming down and helping out at the Stand Down. Region 8 showing their support of the Veterans Council really meant a lot to the Veterans who attended.

Kevin D Barnett
Vice Chairman
Region 8 Veterans Council