Veterans, family members, and active-duty personnel of all walks of life are invited to learn more about VA services and community resources available to them.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Lake County Vet Connect members will host the annual Veterans Stand Down, an outreach event for local and Mendocino County veterans and active-duty personnel who will benefit from learning more about veterans services and other community resources available to them.

Scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the event will be at American Legion Post Konocti located at 14470 Austin Road in Clearlake.

Lake Transit will provide veterans free rides to the Stand Down. Lunch will be served by Vet Connect and Sutter Health volunteers.

Resources to be offered include a significant number of services such as Veterans Members Services, a new Veterans Medical Services mobile unit, Vet Works, disability services, Nation's Finest Veteran's Services, audiology consultations, One Step Away, housing and homeless assistance, emergency preparedness, Woodland Community College, Lake County Behavioral Health, substance abuse counseling services, employment assistance, advance care planning and legal consultations.

Personal supplies and clothing will be distributed to eligible veterans attending.

“Many veterans have either been reluctant to apply for services including health services or don’t even know that they are eligible for services,” said Lake County Veteran Service Officer Saul Sanabria. “This event is an opportunity to investigate what healthcare, and other beneficial resources may be available to them.”

Hundreds of local veterans have been served by the Veterans Stand Down and the Vet Connect office.

“Over the past year I have been given a wealth of knowledge that I would have never tried to discover on my own. For this, I will be forever grateful to the countless number of people who are a part of this veteran’s program,” said Air Force Veteran Jovanie Otei.

The Vet Connect committee currently falls under the auspices of the Lake County United Veterans Council and is establishing its own nonprofit status.

Members are asking the public to spread the word regarding the Stand Down and benefits available to local veterans.

“In the military, ‘Stand Down’ afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirits, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment,” said Vet Connect Chair Steve Boone.

“Today, ‘Stand Down’ refers to grassroots, community-based intervention programs designed to help our nation’s vulnerable veterans remain safe and receive the services they need to achieve a healthy lifestyle. At risk veterans are invited to a single location and provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems,” Boone said.

For more information, contact Boone at 707-533-0717 or Janine Smith-Citron at 707-263-6222.

Janine Smith-Citron is development director for Hospice Services of Lake County.