The Placer County Board of Supervisors voiced its support Tuesday for a three-day event being organized to assist residents who are veterans or active-duty military personnel.

The event’s primary goal is assisting homeless veterans and their families, but all veterans and active-duty personnel are invited. Experts estimate there are approximately 107,000 homeless veterans in the United States.

Supervisor Jack Duran presents a Board resolution to Terry Morgan of Gold County Chaplaincy.
The Placer County Stand Down is scheduled to be held Sept. 27-29 at the Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville. The event is being sponsored by the Gold Country Chaplaincy.

The board approved a resolution supporting the event and commending the Chaplaincy at the urging of 1st District Supervisor Jack Duran.

In times of war, a Stand Down is an opportunity for exhausted combat units to leave battlefields and stay in secure base camps while they take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, receive and mail letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends.

“In the military, Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being,” Supervisor Duran explained in a report to his board colleagues, noting that the Placer County Stand Down will extend the same opportunity to both veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Stand Down events are part of a grassroots, community-based intervention program.

At the Placer County Stand Down, participants will be offered a broad range of assistance, including food, clothing, haircuts, health care services, benefits counseling, substance abuse assistance, job counseling and referrals, housing services and camaraderie.

The resolution approved by the board Tuesday notes that many veterans suffer from depression, anxiety and other difficulties readjusting after they return home, and get frustrated coping with the red tape they encounter while trying to get the benefits they earned.

Stand Down events are organized to offer participants one-stop shopping for the resources, materials and contacts they need.

The resolution emphasizes that the Placer County Stand Down will assist veterans and active-duty personnel from Placer County and neighboring counties.

The resolution concludes by thanking “all Veterans for their service and sacrifice for the freedoms of this great Nation.”