PORT TOWNSEND — Military veterans who may have fallen on hard times and need advice or access to resources were given that opportunity Monday during a Stand Down event — one of three presented on the Northern Olympic Peninsula every year.
“We want to help those who have the most need,” said John Braach, Voices for Veterans president.
“We can’t fix everyone’s problems, but we can introduce them to a service provider that can help them. We are a conduit, offering a clean, dry, safe place to congregate for a day and to sort out some of their problems.”
The term “stand down” is military jargon for rest and recuperation, where all activity is to be refitted, rejuvenated and retrained for the next roll of active duty, according to the Voices for Veterans website.
Braach said about 150 veterans usually attend the Port Townsend event. By 11 a.m., 80 people already had arrived at the Port Townsend Elks Club.
Goods available for free included clothing, books, toilet articles, camping supplies for vets who are homeless and pet supplies.
Free services included legal advice, counseling and education.
Victorian Clipper hairdressers Debi Hinton and Ada Isakson closed down their business for the day to offer free haircuts to event participants.
Braach said that around 15,000 veterans live on the Northern Olympic Peninsula, which is the highest concentration of vets in the state.
About 5,000 veterans in the Port Townsend area could benefit from these services, he said.
“There are a lot of services available for veterans but they don’t know how to find them,” said Alicia Demetropolis, owner of Lifebridge Wellness Services in Port Townsend.
“This helps them find what they need.”
Demetropolis, a physical therapist, donates three hours to individual veterans to help them resolve recurring physical issues, including those resulting from post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Demetropolis provides strength and conditioning training, balance stability and cardiovascular recommendations, among other services — all that is needed for treatment is identification documents and a physician’s diagnosis.
“PTSD is a legitimate injury,” she said.“You don’t need to be physically injured to take part in this program.”
Demetropolis operates the program out of two health clubs: Evergreen Fitness in Port Townsend and SARC, the aquatic recreation center in Sequim.
Shauna Rogers, executive director of Pro Bono Lawyers in Port Angeles, was on hand to provide advice with legal issues for veterans who have been unable to resolve them on their own.
“A lot of the people here have no legal representation whatsoever and need help with expunging of an old criminal record or with child support issues,” Rogers said.
“This is one-stop shopping, said Robin Yada, who recently retired from the Air National Guard and was working as an event volunteer.
“Everything is in one place, and service providers are referring them to things they didn’t even know existed.”
The Peninsula’s next Stand Down is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Clallam County Fairgrounds.
For more information go to www.voicesforveterans.org/standdown.html.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
