With Veterans Day approaching, Santa Clara County is offering free health and social services to local vets this weekend.
The annual Stand Down offers housing and employment assistance, medical and dental screenings, mental health resources, legal aid, groceries, clothing, showers, haircuts and hot lunches. The event kicked off Thursday at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is free for veterans and their families, and VTA is providing free transportation to and from the event — no ID needed.
Stand Downs were created to provide resources and assistance to veterans following the Vietnam War. While they’re traditionally focused on homeless veterans, Santa Clara County’s event is open to all veterans. Darlyn Escalante, director of the Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services, said many Vietnam veterans came home without support and lived in isolation with invisible wounds. This weekend’s event is a call to action for the community to give back and support local vets.
“Whatever their circumstances are, we welcome them. We opened it to families as well because they too are entitled to benefits, and sadly most of them are caregivers,” Escalante told San José Spotlight. “The Stand Down … is a way of providing that support that so many veterans need when they transition from service to the civilian world. … We have never forgotten the sacrifice they’ve made. We are here to support them.”
Lt. Col. Steve Fondacaro, a 30-year retired Army veteran and Santa Clara County Social Services Agency director, said receiving services and connecting with other people who have served in the military is everything…