First veterans "Stand Down" to be held in South Lake Tahoe

Veterans will be convening at the American Legion Hall in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, Sept. 17 to participate in South Lake Tahoe's first Veterans Stand Down.

The stand down was conceived by the El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Commission to help vets who have difficulty meeting with veterans representatives or seeking veterans services due to the remoteness of living in the High Sierra.

A "Stand Down" is a term used in the military to describe a period of relaxation and recovery following military action. It has been adopted by the veterans' community as identifying a time and place where benefits, health, legal, education, vision, housing, and other veteran services are delivered directly to vets. Stand Downs make it easier for vets to learn what benefits are available to them and begin the application process.

"We're calling this a Mini Stand Down because it is compressed into one day and will not be as complex as regular stand-downs, which are typically scheduled over several days and create a veterans village focused primarily on assisting homeless vets," said John Poimiroo, chairman of the El Dorado County Veterans Commission.

He continued, "In Tahoe's case, homelessness is not the issue. The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless reports that all known homeless veterans at South Tahoe have been housed. Instead, our focus is on housed veterans who live in the Sierra, but who have had difficulty applying for benefits or getting to VA offices. The Mini Stand Down brings providers to them."

Participating will be representatives of the El Dorado County Veterans Service Office, the Veterans Administration, and many of its programs for women, the disabled, and those dealing with health concerns and combat-related physical and mental injuries. Also participating will be representatives of the El Dorado County District Attorney and Sheriff's offices, Capital Pro Bono, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, U.S. Army, Stars and Stripes Rescue, Lake Tahoe Veterans Alliance, and American Legion Post 795, among others.

No appointment is necessary. Show up between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd. on Sept. 17. There will be a free hot dog lunch and drinks. Free transportation on Sept. 17 is available to veterans who live in South Lake Tahoe by calling Yellow Cab at 530-544-5555 and asking for a ride to American Legion Post 795.

Commissioner Poimiroo added, "South Lake Tahoe’s American Legion Post 795 is living the Legion’s motto, ‘Veterans Strengthening America,’ by offering the use of their hall, being closely involved in planning the event and getting the word out. Also supporting this effort have been the El Dorado County Veterans Alliance (which underwrote its costs), the VA, El Dorado Veterans Resources, the Military Family Support Group and Lake Tahoe Veterans Alliance."

For more information, call 530-541-8788.