DAV Department of Indiana Sponsors 25th Stand Down for homeless veterans.Nearly 1,200 free meals were served at the annual Christmas dinner Christmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. It is often seen as the main event of the day for which the family all gathers and eats together. and 25th Stand Down for homeless veterans co-sponsored by the DAV See WebDAV. Department of Indiana and the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs is a term of the business that deals with the relation between a government and its veteran communities, usually administered by the designated government agency. in Indianapolis. The event marked the 1,000th stand down for homeless veterans nationwide. Peter H. Dougherty, Director of the Peter Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Veterans Program Office, presented a Certificate commending the planners and organizers of the 25th stand down for homeless veterans in Indianapolis to DAV Department of Indiana Adjutant ADJUTANT. A military officer, attached to every battalion of a regiment. It is his duty to superintend, under his superiors, all matters relating to the ordinary routine of discipline in the regiment. Michael A. Whelihan shortly before the kick-off of the Homeless Veterans Stand Down and annual Christmas dinner at Tyndall National Guard Armory in Indianapolis, Dec. 19, 2003. The presentation came during a press conference that included Congresswoman Julia M. Carson (D-Ind.) and Indiana Governor Joe Kernan For the Armagh Gaelic football player and manager, see . Joseph Eugene Kernan (born April 8, 1946), widely known as Joe Kernan, is an American politician who became the Governor of Indiana on September 13, 2003 upon the death of Frank O'Bannon. , a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam war Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. and spent 11 months as a prisoner of war PRISONER OF WAR. One who has been captured while fighting under the banner of some state. He is a prisoner, although never confined in a prison. 2. In modern times, prisoners are treated with more humanity than formerly; the individual captor has now no . Governor Kernan and Congresswoman Carson were can hand to participate in the annual event co-sponsored by the DAV Department of Indiana and the VA. It marked the 1,000th stand down for homeless veterans nationwide. It's wonderful to see so many organizations and individuals working together to make this event successful year after year," Congresswoman Carson said. Working together to help homeless veterans and their families has always been the goal of the stand downs, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Robert ("Bob") W. Rogers, HUD-VA Supported Housing Coordinator. "It's hard to believe it's been more than 12 years and 25 stand downs since I sat down with the DAV Department Adjutant to discuss the Idea of doing something special for veterans and their families." Rovers said. "From the beginning, we set out to provide homeless veterans with a quality, family-style, holiday meal, to foster an open and trusting environment for everyone attending; to provide veterans on the street with several hours of rest and relaxation; and to say 'Thank you. YOU are not forgotten,' to our homeless veterans." Through [lie years the DAV and VA have remained true to the original goals they established for the stand downs and holiday meals. "Just look around," Adjutant Whelihan said. "Everyone is here; to assist homeless veterans and their families. From DAV Transportation Network vans bringing veterans to the armory and DAV National Service Officers assisting with claims and other information, to getting a free eye exam from the volunteers from the Indiana University Optometry optometry (ŏptŏm`ətrē), eye-care specialty concerned with eye examination, determination of visual abilities, diagnosis of eye diseases and conditions, and the prescription of lenses and other corrective measures. School, or a new pair of warm socks from the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, everyone is dedicated to doing what they can to help. Even Santa Claus pitches in," he added. Santa made his entry before noon to the children's delight, and, with help from the U.S. Marine Corps and its "Toys for Tots Toys For Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks. ," lie made sure each child received a toy, treats, and a jolly "Merry Christmas" and "Ho, ho, ho!" As the morning pushed into early afternoon Rogers, who emcees and helps coordinate the event each year, paused briefly. For a moment, his energetic smile faded, and a look of amazement and satisfaction replaced it as he watched nearly 1,200 homeless people receiving help and a wonderful holiday meal. A moment later, the smile returned, and Bob moved hack into the crowd to join nearly 200 other volunteers lending assistance at the annual Christmas dinner and 25th stand down for homeless veterans in Indianapolis, where no homeless veterans are left behind. |
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