For many service members and veterans, the words “stand down” have a powerful meaning.
“The term came into use during the Vietnam War,” said Martina Sternberg, assistant director of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. “It refers to the time when you could come off the line, get a good meal, a shave, and just recover from the experience of combat.”
These days, “Stand Down” has a slightly different, but equally important significance.
Stand Downs are held in communities across the country to give military personnel, veterans and their families a chance to access vital resources such as help with housing, job placement and health care.
On the national level, the efforts are led by key agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
MFRI works with many different organizations to coordinate Stand Down programs at the local and state levels, Sternberg said. Purdue students, staff and departments play a vital role in planning, supporting and delivering Stand Down services in the Lafayette area, she added.
This year’s Stand Down in Lafayette is scheduled for Nov. 9, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1010 Teal Rd.
Last year, Sternberg said, the Stand Down program in Lafayette reached out to more than 400 homeless, near-homeless or at-risk veterans and family members. More than 100 community organizations participated, involving more than 1,000 volunteers and staff.
“In addition to providing direct and immediate assistance to these service people in need, a major goal of the program is to raise awareness about this issue throughout the community,” Sternberg said. “In that regard, we have been able to make a tremendous impact.”
