AREA SAILORS HELP MEET NEEDS OF INDIGENT VETS

Sailors from the Cape Girardeau Naval Reserve Center participated in a veterans' stand down in Collinsville, Ill.

A stand down provides services and supplies to veterans. The first stand down was held in Marion, Ill., and provided service to about 70 veterans over three days.

Subsequent stand downs have been held in Collinsville and have served more than 500 veterans in a single day.

"Our goal is to reach out to as many homeless and indigent veterans as possible," said Dorothy Hinson, chairman of the event and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. "My committee, which is made up of representatives from veterans organizations across Illinois, feels an obligation to serve these men and women who served our country."

Among groups participating in this year's event were Cape Girardeau's Food Service Functional Team 2 and Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune units, which include the Naval Reserve Center in Cape Girardeau.

The food services team provided meals for veterans and volunteers, giving the unit an opportunity to show off its culinary skills.

MSC Larry Patterson said: "It is always good to get out and work in what you would be doing if you were mobilized. Here, not only do we get to practice in our rate, but there is a real and important service we provide at the same time.

SK2 Jeff Colyer, also a member of the food service team, distributed clothing and food. He explained that many items are distributed from government surplus. Instead of sitting in a warehouse, the items are being put to use.

"It's interesting that some of the clothing -- for example, boots -- were manufactured nearly 20 years ago," Colyer said. "Items like those are no longer issued by the military but still work great."

The Cape Girardeau center has been involved in the event since the beginning.

"They provide a variety of services like haircuts and cooking," said Hinson. "But just as importantly is the interaction between these vets and these sailors. Our vets really seem to take pleasure in the fact that somebody in uniform hasn't forgotten him or her. I think the sailors too enjoy the service they are providing to the vets."