Lyndora American Legion hosts 9th annual Stand Down for veterans
BUTLER TWP — The Lyndora American Legion Post 778 opened its doors to hundreds of veterans on Friday, Nov. 1, for the ninth annual Stand Down, a one-day event that offers numerous community resources to the veterans of Butler County.
Dozens of vendors and community organizations from across the region set up shop inside and outside the Legion building to offer everything from career and mental health support services to support animals and haircuts.
Butler County’s Stand Down, held each year on the first Friday in November, originally started in 2016 at the VA Butler Healthcare facility. It later moved to the now-closed General Butler Vagabond Center in Butler Township and stayed there until 2023, when it moved to the American Legion.
Event coordinator Allyson Rose says the move happened because the event had outgrown the Vagabonds Center, which is expected to be the future site of Kenmac Rentals & Sales of Butler.
“We moved here for space, and parking was an issue at Vagabond,” Rose said.
Multiple parties at the Stand Down stated that the event seemed to be attracting more and more people each year, and Rose suggested that it may soon outgrow even the Lyndora American Legion building.
“Last year, we had 225 veterans and 60 community members, and each year it typically grows,” Rose said. “We’re hoping to have more than that this year.”
Among the vendors offering their services this year were Walmart, Sam’s Club, Robin’s Home, the Lighthouse Foundation, the American Red Cross, NAMI and Animal Friends.
“Animal Friends has a program for veterans,” said retired Army Spc. Sonny Hanlon. “The veteran can come down here and get a free animal, free adoption. We’ll cover their medical problems. All they have to do is show that they’re a veteran.”
The Walmart on New Castle Road in Butler Township presented a check for $16,800 to Butler County Stand Down to purchase cold-weather clothing for veterans.
“That is what purchased all of the coats, the boots, the socks, the gloves, the hats and the long underwear,” said Angela Fleeger, supervisor for Connoquenessing Township and store manager for the Walmart. “We also have a hiring table set up and we are here to help any veterans that are looking for a job. We have people here to help them apply.”
Before the doors opened to the hundreds of veterans and other members of the community, the Stand Down was preceded by an opening ceremony, in which Chloe Fritsch sang the national anthem.
The guest speaker for the opening ceremony was Joe Maguire, who served an eight-year stint in the U.S. Army. This included two years of active duty in Iraq during which he was part of the initial invasion force.
Maguire, along with two other veterans, founded the Veterans Overwatch Foundation earlier this year, an organization which provides services for veterans in need in Western Pennsylvania. He was also part of the committee for this year’s Stand Down event.
Maguire was at Stand Down events in two other counties, but said that the one held in Butler County was impressive.
“I’ve been to (Stand Downs in) Lawrence County and Mercer County, and hands-down this is the best Stand Down I’ve ever seen,” Maguire said. “It’s amazing.”
During his opening speech, Maguire opened up about his experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder which resulted from his overseas service, as well as his attempts to “self-medicate” with alcohol.
“Not long ago, I had a hard time sharing my story, because I don't think my story is all that unique. You’ll never see my story in the New York Times bestseller list,” Maguire said. “And that's probably more of a reason for me to share my story.”
