9/11 New Castle event to aid homeless vets

September 4, 2011 at 12:01a.m.

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

The first Veteran Stand Down/9-11 Salute to the Fallen is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cascade Park.

“Stand Down” is a first time community-based intervention program designed to provide homeless veterans access to the community resources they need to begin rebuilding their lives. In times of war, according to event organizers, “Stand Down” referred to the removal of exhausted combat units from the battlefields to a place of security for rest.

At the Saturday event, there will be health screenings for all veterans by VA Butler Healthcare. The Primary Health Network Mobile Health Clinic will provide screenings for non-veterans.

A 9/11 Salute to the Fallen will take place at 2 p.m. with an honor guard and echo taps.

Volunteers are also needed to help set up, as well as to serve as aides, servers and guides and then break down the event afterwards. To volunteer, call VFW District 25 Ladies’ Auxiliary President Sandra Wilder at (724) 651-0805 or email her at SWPA2004@COMCAST.NET.

The Lawrence County Veterans Stand Down Committee consists of veterans’ organizations, local and state services and many charity organizations. The committee is asking local businesses, organizations and residents to donate new toiletries, socks, underwear, T-shirts, sweats, shoes, boots, coats and sleeping bags and other items.

Monetary donations are also needed to provide food, clothing, medical care and needed supplies during the event. Checks should be made payable to “Veterans Stand Down, VFW Post 315, 1820 E. Washington St., New Castle, Pa. 16101. Donations of $250 or more will receive recognition on T-shirts that will be made available at the event.

For more information about the event, contact Wilder or Michael Orelli, VFW Post 315 Commander, at (724) 658-8257.