On Wednesday, November 13, many local veterans gathered at the Lake County Fairgrounds for VNA Hospice NWI’s second annual Lake County Veteran Stand Down event.
Originally from the Vietnam War era, the phrase “veteran stand down” stems from when service men would “stand down” to address personal matters while on the line of duty. Today, that term has translated into giving back to those who have given so much for their country; it has evolved into a resource fair that equips veterans, their families, and their caregivers with a variety of tools to help navigate a successful life post service.
VNA Hospice NWI held its thrid annual stand down Porter County back in June, and recently expanded the events to Lake County last year. The organization is excited to be back in Lake County for a second year helping to better the lives of veterans in the area.
“We really value our veterans,” VNA Hospice CEO Bob Franko said. “We want to be sure not only that we take good care of them but also let them know that there are so many resources available to them out in the community. These stand downs are a great way to show our veterans how much we appreciate them.”
Veterans and their loved ones had the chance to learn about the many services and resources available in their communities at Wednesday’s event. From healthcare to mental health services to financial assistance programs and everything in between, many businesses were eager to offer their services and help out veterans wherever possible.
This included Tracee Jury, owner at Steamwhistle Coffee, who is helping to make a positive difference in veterans’ lives through outreach programs that help veterans connect with necessary resources.
“We like to come out to events like these to give thanks to the veterans who are here,” Jury said. “We also make donations to veterans organizations here in the Region. It’s important to let veterans know they haven’t been forgotten and we truly appreciate the choices and sacrifices they’ve made to help secure our freedoms.”
The team at VNA Hospice NWI is proud to be a beacon of hope for so many veterans from all walks of life. As the program coordinator for its We Honor Veterans Program, Alex Hoekstra-Knight has seen firsthand just how much stand downs mean to those who have served. Despite their heroic acts, veterans unfortunately may not have access to all they need for a happy successful life in today’s world, but knowing she is helping to bridge that gap is what means the most.
“Veterans in our community often have difficulty accessing services or don’t know what’s available; there are a lot of barriers to access,” Hoekstra-Knight said. “Veterans are often some of our most vulnerable populations, so linking them up with services that can help and support them is really important. There are so many people having their needs met in a way they couldn’t without this event.”
This is also what inspired Clare Pokorny to volunteer at this year's stand down. As someone who enjoys giving back to the community, it was an easy decision to sign up and get involved.
“It’s important for our veterans to realize that their country is behind them,” Pokorny said. “It’s important to volunteer for people who are in vulnerable positions.”
The veterans appreciate the love and support from VNA Hospice NWI and the numerous organizations who participated at Wednesday’s stand down. Whether it be extra meals to get them through the winter months or a free haircut that lets them rock a fresh, clean cut, it means a lot that so many are willing to come together to lend a hand to local veterans, especially for Robert Harrison, who served in the Army from 1974 to 1976.
“The camaraderie here is incredible,” Harrison said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about services like companion care that can help me when I’m older.”
To learn more about VNA Hospice NWI and the ways it’s helping veterans across Northwest Indiana, please visit vnanwi.org.
