Stand Down event sees needs of vets addressed
BUTLER TWP — Veterans of all ages, backgrounds and military branches swarmed the General Butler Vagabonds Center on Friday morning to learn about services that may assist them, collect giveaways and enjoy a delicious hot meal.
The 7th annual Stand Down event saw the huge banquet hall off Whitestown Road teeming with veterans carrying duffel bags and reusable totes full of a plethora of items they could pick up for free.
Allyson Rose, chair of the Stand Down committee, said more than 50 vendors filled the Vagabonds Center on Friday.
Butler Walmart set up an impromptu shop in the back of the hall where veterans could get boots, coats, hats, gloves and socks at no charge.
Another vendor gave free haircuts to veterans, while other former military men and women enjoyed a free and robust luncheon of roast chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert.
Before the doors were unlocked, a brief opening ceremony was held in the parking lot under a sunny sky.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem, keynote speaker Dave Walker shared his thoughts during the final speech of his tenure as the Butler County Veteran of the Year.
“Anything I can do to help another veteran, I’ll do it,” Walker. “These people went out and put their lives on the line and they have the right for us to take care of them.”
Walker, 89, who volunteered at VA Butler Health Care for 15 years, said the amazing help available to veterans at Stand Down demonstrates Butler County’s dedication to those who have served.
“Butler really appreciates and supports their veterans,” he said.
Veteran Cheryl Werner also spoke at the ceremony.
Patriotic songs played from speakers outside the doors as the long line of veterans made their way inside to register.
Once inside, the veterans circumnavigated the room, stopping to pick up a giveaway or ask about a service if it fit their needs.
Dwayne Wells, who lives at the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment facility at the VA, known as “the dom,” served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 through 1993.
He was extremely grateful for the Stand Down event.
“I think it’s great,” Wells said. “I got a bagful of information and clothing.”
He last attended a Stand Down event in Philadelphia.
“For a smaller town, it’s great,” Wells said. “This is the last thing I expected when I came (to Butler) in September.”
Thomas Panza, who also lives at the dom, served in the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1970s.
“It’s pretty darn good,” Panza said of the Stand Down event. “I never knew what benefits I had.”
Panza collected a coat, shoes and socks at the event.
“It’s a great way to help veterans and maybe give back something,” he said of Stand Down.
Robert Buckley, of Connoquenessing Township, U.S. Navy 1970-78, also attended the event for the first time.
“I did not know what it was,” Buckley said. “My neighbor mentioned it to me.”
He said state Rep. Marci Mustello’s office and other organizations put on events and dinners to support veterans in the county as well.
“Veterans are appreciated in Butler County,” Buckley said. “You can tell by all the (vendors) who turned out for this event.”
He collected a raincoat “and a bunch tchotchkes” on Friday.
“I hope everyone appreciates it,” Buckley said. “I have been to many cities, and they don’t even look at veterans.”
Rose said some of the most popular vendors at Stand Down on Friday were Hero’s Angels, which gives away clothing, and the various VA services, where vets can receive help with housing, food, addiction and other issues.
The VA Department of Health Administration gave out homemade quilts sewn by the Pieceful Quilt Guild, plus red flannel shirts, neck pillows and other items.
Simply Cater, the catering company at the Vagabonds Center, provided more than 250 roast chicken meals at a discount price to the Stand Down committee, who paid for them through donations.
Veterans were welcomed to the Stand Down event for two hours, then members of the public who are in need were able to come to the event as well.
Volunteers registering those who entered counted 179 veterans and 24 nonveterans at noon and expected more to sign up.
