Veterans Stand Down set for May 18

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocacy groups, will host the 6th Annual Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down. The event connects homeless and at-risk veterans with support services from state and local agencies.

This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Flagstaff Armory, 320 N Thorpe Rd. Flagstaff, AZ. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

Veterans will have access to hot meals, hygiene kits, clothing, surplus, legal assistance, employment services, dental, vision and medical assistance, haircuts, Veterans’ Court and Notary services, information on disability and survivor benefits, and more. Surplus is not for resale and is for individual use only.

“It is an honor, as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to work with so many dedicated organizations helping connect veterans to the services they need,” said District 4 County Supervisor Jim Parks, whose office is helping to coordinate the event. “As a veteran, I hope everyone joins me in sharing this information with fellow veterans across northern Arizona including their families, their neighbors and in local communities.”

Services and logistical support are offered by Coconino County, Flagstaff Courts, Coconino County Superior Court, Williams Courts, Coconino County Public Health Services District, Arizona StandDown Alliance, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Veterans Administration, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation and many others. This year, food will be provided by Sodexo and Mormon Lake Lodge, and beverages provided by Nackard Pepsi.

The public is also invited to attend the Armed Forces Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, in downtown Flagstaff.

The High Country Stand Down was started by the local veterans’ community and retired Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger over six years ago.

County prepares for 5th annual Veterans Stand Down

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocate groups, will host the 5th Annual Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down. The event connects homeless veterans and their families with the services they need.

The Stand Down will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 19, at the Flagstaff Armory, 320 N Thorpe Road Flagstaff. Hundreds of northern Arizona homeless and at-risk veterans are expected to attend. Veterans will have access hot meals, hygiene kits, clothing, surplus, legal assistance, employment services, dental, vision and medical assistance, haircuts, Veterans’ Court and Notary services, information on disability and survivor benefits, and more.

“We greatly value our returning veterans from all wars and think they should have access to help and the opportunity to truly stand down,” said District 4 County Supervisor Jim Parks, whose office is helping to coordinate the event. “It is an honor, as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to work with so many dedicated organizations helping connect veterans to the services they need.”

Services and logistical support offered by Coconino County, Flagstaff Courts, Coconino County Superior Court, Williams Courts, Coconino County Public Health Services District, Arizona StandDown Alliance, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Veterans Administration, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation and many others. This year, food will be provided by Sodexo, coffee provided by Starbucks and beverages provided by Nackard Pepsi.

The public is also invited to attend the Armed Forces Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, in Downtown Flagstaff.

The High Country Stand Down was started by the local veterans’ community and retired Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger over five years ago.

Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down May 19

Editorial by Supervisor Jim Parks

The great philosopher Plato said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

Unfortunately, centuries later, this statement still holds true. Accessing basic human services can be extremely difficult for returning veterans, especially those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury.

The National Homeless Veterans Association estimates there are 1.4 million homeless and at-risk veterans currently in the U.S.

These veterans are a part of our community—Our friends, our family and our neighbors. Connecting homeless and at—risk veterans and their families with the services they need is a top priority.

This is one of the many reasons I’m proud to be a part of a large coalition of local public and private sector organizations that are organizing the 5th Annual Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down. This year’s Stand Down will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday May 19 at the Flagstaff Armory.

The local coalition of heroes, in coordination with the Arizona Stand Down Alliance, works all year arranging services, planning logistics and coordinating volunteers for the event day. Hundreds of veterans from across northern Arizona are expected to attend.

During this event, veterans will be offered hot meals, hygiene kits, clothing, surplus, legal assistance, employment services, dental, vision and medical assistance, haircuts, Veterans’ Court and Notary services, and information on disability and survivor benefits.

The Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down began over five years ago by the local veterans’ community and retired Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger. They started the High Country Stand Down because they wanted to give back to those who fought for our nation.

The term “Stand Down” is used in the United States military to denote a time when military actions are temporarily halted to rearm, reassess, and renew the troops and the terms of engagement in the battle at hand.

I greatly value our returning soldiers and think they should have access to help and the opportunity to truly stand down. As a community, it is imperative we come together and support those who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedom.

It is an honor, as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to help bridge the gap between veterans and the services they need during this celebration of their service. Please help me spread the word to veterans, their families and in your communities about the Lance Davison High Country Stand Down on May 19.