If you are a veteran, listen up. If you know a veteran, help! Be a part of the Los Banos Stand Down coming soon — on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you’re a veteran, make it a point to come. If you’re a family member or friend, especially if you’re a spouse, encourage the veteran to come; use persuasion, be assertive, drive the veteran there, if you need to.
This may sound overly dramatic to some readers, but to me it’s appropriate. On this day, more than 20 organizations and individuals who want to help veterans will be in one place, at one time.
Veterans gave up years of their lives to serve their country. Many risked their lives. Most have encountered problems resulting from their service, especially PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome).
Veterans are entitled to a wide range of benefits. But many veterans don’t realize all the benefits they’re entitled to. Others don’t want to accept them because they’re determined not to be given anything, to be stubbornly self-reliant
The name of the Augst 21 event may sound a little odd. A “stand down” is a military term that means at ease or kick back Perhaps another name for it might be a “Display of Services to Veterans.”
The Los Banos Veterans organization is putting on this event at their hall, at 615 E St., across the street from the Noah Joanes Ballpark and the Los Banos Fairgrounds and just east of the Los Banos Elks Lodge.
The event is free and open to all veterans and their spouses. I mention spouses because often spouses are entitled to benefits, too. The spouses of veterans often had to make a big a sacrifice as the veterans did.
And if you come around the noon hour (or stay around until 12), you can also get a free lunch thanks to the Los Banos Elks, who, as they have done so often in the past, support veterans vigorously.
The Los Banos Veterans group might also be unfamiliar to some. They are a unified group of VFW and American Legion members who still continue to serve their community, and especially other veterans. The members of this group have devoted many hours of their time over the years to make sure every veteran knows and gets their entitled benefits.
Every week they make sure a representative of the Veterans Service Organization comes from Merced to Los Banos to be available to veterans. They just recently worked with Central Valley La Familia to provide regular mental health counseling.
And they have one of the most extraordinary services in ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations), ATLAS is a unique system in which a veteran at a remote rural site can enter a soundproof room with a hardwired broadband connection and connect with doctors anywhere in the world. The system even features a high-tech camera system which by reading a person’s eyeball can display vital signs like temperature and blood pressure.
On August 21 the Los Banos Veterans are going above and beyond to help veterans. They have invited a wide range of organizations and people who want to do everything they can to help veterans.
The include representatives from the San Joaquin Valley Veterans, La Familia Health Services, Community Care, Merced College Veterans Support Team, and Merced County’s Worknet, and the MyHealth Vet Team
They also include representatives from, the Disabled American Veterans, Merced County Veterans Services, the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Los Banos Parks and Recreation, the Los Banos Police Department and Grand Canyon University.
Elected officials who will be coming or sending a representative include U.S. Congressman Adam Gray, California Senator Anna Caballero, California Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, District Representative Joe Ballas, and Merced County District 5 Supervisor Scott Silveira.
Both Mike Hughes, Commander of Los Banos VFW Post 2487, and Tom Higby, Commander of Los Banos American Legion Post 166, have been working for months to set this up, contacting people and double checking to make sure they come. Everyone they’ve contacted said they will be there.
“This event is open to all veterans,” said Hughes, “and I do mean ALL, from those who are well off to those who are homeless.”
The Los Banos Veterans also encourage the spouses and dependents of veterans to come. “Often there are benefits for the spouse and dependents,” Higby said, “which they are entitled to as well.”
The Los Banos Veterans also believe no veteran should feel alone, but so often that’s how a veteran feels. And veterans don’t like to talk about their experiences or their problems, because they’re too painful to talk about.
Coming to a meeting of the Los Banos Veterans group can help. There a veteran can meet other veterans who may have experienced similar issues and feelings, making it easier to talk about what they’ve been through.
Becoming an active member of either local American Legion or VFW post can also provide not only ongoing friendships but also a purpose and a way to contribute to the community. Many current members have said that belonging to the group has made a difference in their lives.
Hughes emphasized that the Los Banos Veterans need the help of everyone on the Westside, including Gustine, Santa Nella, Dos Palos and Firebaugh, as well as Los Banos. “This is a big deal for the Westside,” Hughes said. “Usually, the Stand Downs are held in Merced.
“This year it’s right in Los Banos, much more convenient for Westside veterans,” said Hughes. “But we need a lot of help from friends and family members to spread the word by any means they can to any and all veterans.”
John Spevak’s email is john.spevak@gmail.com.
