CT Veterans Affairs hosts ‘Stand Down’ event to provide essential services to veterans
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut Veterans Affairs hosted its annual "Stand Down" event Friday, which provides essential services for veterans and service members.
Serving those who served the country is the goal behind the event.
"It's a day for them to get the services and be connected to what they need after sacrificing so much for us, for our country, our great state here," Lindsay Jesshop with Connecticut Veterans Affairs said.
It's a one-stop-shop for active service members and veterans like Joe Rizzo, who served in the Navy.
"I just come to see what it was like, make some friends," he said.
The Department of Transportation bussed in veterans from locations all over the state to show up for "Stand Down." The event was held at numerous locations including Bridgeport, Bristol and Norwich.
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Veterans had access to a number of services, including flu and COVID vaccines, dental screenings and motor vehicle services.
"A lot of these veterans ... are homeless. A lot of them have drug and alcohol problems, they have drug, financial problems, and here they help you out with your teeth, they help you out with your flu shots," veteran Francis Keenan said.
The U.S. Department of Housing was also there supporting those struggling with their living situation.
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"With veterans it's sort of hard to keep them housed because they do suffer from disabilities with they are mental, physical and they like to live together," Dwoun Byrd said. He works in the Veteran Assisted Supportive Housing Division.
The department is encouraging veterans struggling to find housing to contact them to see if they are eligible for a housing voucher.
Keenan- who lives in the Rocky Hill veterans home- said the experience has been life-changing.
"Being here at the Rocky Hill veterans home, it's been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. This place has definitely helped save my life," he said.
