Airmen, community come together for veteran stand down

By Airman 1st Class Morgan Brown, 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs / Published August 24, 2018

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 6

Cynthia Verrill, Linda American Legion Post 807 commander, salutes the flag during the playing of the National Anthem during the Yuba-Sutter Stand Down Aug. 24, 2018, in Marysville, California.The Stand Down gives local veterans and their families the opportunity to seek services, such as dental, veteran benifits and social security, in a sigle location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 6

Monica Dishawfreeman (left) and Gwen Daugherty, local volunteers, sort through clothes at the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down in Marysville, California, Aug. 24, 2018. The stand down is an entirely volunteer run event that brings in people from the surrounding areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Morgan Brown)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 6

A rememberance vest is on display during the Yuba-Sutter Stand Down Aug. 24, 2018, in Marysville, California. The Stand Down gives local veterans and their families the opportunity to seek services, such as dental, veteran benifits and social security, in a sigle location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 6

Charles Harlan, a volunteer barber from the local area, is cutting U.S. Marine Corps veteran Richard Montes’s hair at the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down in Marysville, California, Aug. 24, 2018. More than an estimated 1,200 veterans and civilians received aid from volunteers from Beale Air Force Base and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Morgan Brown)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 6

Beale Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during the National Anthem at the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down in Marysville, California, Aug. 24, 2018. The stand down provides a broad range of necessities, such as, financial, medical, educational and religious services to veterans and their families, specifically targeting homeless and less fortunate veterans.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Morgan Brown)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 6

Col. Andy Clark, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander, adresses participants and volunteers during the Yuba-Sutter Stand Down thanking them for their service and highlighting the services provided there Aug. 24, 2018, in Marysville, California.This Stand Down began in 1999 to serve the veteran community located in the Yuba-Sutter area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)

MARYSVILLE, California-- More than an estimated 1,200 veterans and civilians received aid from volunteers from Beale Air Force Base and the local community at the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down in Marysville, California, Aug. 23-25, 2018.

The stand down provides a broad range of necessities, such as, financial, medical, educational and religious services to veterans and their families, specifically targeting homeless and less fortunate veterans.

“This started as only homeless veterans, but we sort of stepped out of the box and made it for all veterans, active duty, reservist, everything,” said retired U.S. Army Platoon Sgt. and Vietnam Veteran Michael Nichols, president of the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down. “This way it can get out to veterans faster, instead of waiting until their duty is up to find out about all of these services.”

With the stand down offering more than 15 booths and a variety of services, Airmen from Beale Air Force Base volunteered to help with the set up, booth services and clean up during the three day event.

“We are incredibly proud and thankful for the opportunity to help and care for our veterans, brothers and sisters at arms, and their families,” said Col. Andy Clark, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander. “This is what Airmen do, its our sacred charge to take care of our veterans and those that have come before us. We take care of each other and we take care of them.”

Veterans were treated to lunch, haircuts, medical needs and Department of Veterans Affairs services at no cost.

“I like coming here because of the camaraderie and the services they make available to us are really great,” said Richard Montes, U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

The stand down was established in 1999 and continues with the help of Michael Nichols, local volunteers and supporters.

“Most vets are taught that if it don’t hurt, don’t do anything about it,” Nichols said. “You get a bump on your head, you put a bandaid on it. You take an aspirin and you’re good to go. But things are changing and people need to see what services are out there for them.”