VENTURA : Veterans at Weekend Event Offered Aid

Vietnam vet James Atkinson dropped by last year’s Ventura County Stand Down event that helps homeless veterans and didn’t stay. But this year he did.

Friday, Atkinson entered tent after tent, and in the process applied for an identification card, learned about veterans’ benefits, received a driver’s license application, picked up new shoes and clothes, took a shower, ate meals and stuck around for the USO show.

“I’m always good for a good USO show,” said the 39-year-old Ventura homeless veteran, adding more seriously, “I’m trying to get off the streets.”

On the Ventura College football field set up to resemble a battalion headquarters, khaki canvas tents and camouflage netting are housing the third annual Stand Down for veterans. Music several decades old blared from loudspeakers Friday and veterans lounged in cots, perused information tents, took showers or visited doctors.

The three-day event, which began Friday, is expected to attract about 250 homeless veterans from Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, organizer Claire Hope of Camarillo said. Nearly 100 veterans showed up Friday, she said.

Stand down is a military term referring to participants in battle retreating to an area of safety and security, Hope said.

“What’s sad is that about a third of the homeless population are vets,” Hope said. “We’ll run this until there are no more homeless vets in the county.”

Homeless veterans will receive food and shelter for three days, clothing, medical services, showers, haircuts and counseling for legal, drug, alcohol and psychological problems. Representatives from government and charitable agencies will also be present throughout the weekend to offer advice and information, clear up problems and provide services.

“One of the biggest problems is that people aren’t aware of the benefits provided by the VA,” said Charles Lowrance, the Ventura County Veterans Service officer. “I think this Stand Down is meeting a need.”

Atkinson learned through Stand Down that he is entitled to free dental care, he said. “It’s very important to help vets,” the former Marine said. “I feel that I did very honorable service for this country.”

Gary Hoover, a Ventura ex-Marine who said he lives in his truck, found answers to questions on benefits, pension and housing.

“I need to get me right and healthy first and then I want to help veterans down the line,” said Hoover, 39, who served in the Marines for more than 13 years. “There’s a lot of things folks can gain from these deals.”

Many volunteers said the gathering of veterans and military atmosphere is important.

“There’s a motto that no one can help another vet but another vet,” said Jessie Ramirez, 41, an Army veteran from Ventura and a Stand Down volunteer. “It’s like a brotherhood. Last year, several of the veterans did find employment and housing. If we help at least one vet, it’s an accomplishment.”