STAND DOWN APPRECIATED VETERANS GOT MEALS, OTHER HELP.Byline: BETTIE RENCORET SENIOR COLUMNIST LANCASTER -- Veterans were in the limelight for the second Veterans Stand Down of 2006 and the announcement of a Welcome Home parade to pay Vietnam veterans This article is about the French band. For veterans of the Vietnam War, see Vietnam veteran. The Vietnam Veterans were a six-person French psychedelic group that released six records in the 1980s. The band was praised by many alternative music publications. the homage they deserved but didn't receive when they came home from the war in the 1970s. Stand Down is the military term for a safe haven 1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatants of the United States Government's responsibility and commercial vehicles and materiel may be evacuated during a domestic or other valid emergency. 2. respite from combat for battle-weary troops -- a time to rest and recuperate re·cu·per·ate v. To return to health or strength; recover. from the horrors of war. Antelope Valley's periodic Stand Downs help veterans who are homeless or otherwise in need of a hand. Fifty-five vets attended the Aug. 19 Stand Down at Grace Chapel. They got three meals, mingled with peers and volunteers, got new clothes, had health screenings, counseling and legal advice, played games and were entertained by the band Without a Net. Among the volunteers were dentist Dr. Neil Green and his assistants from the Quartz Hill Foursquare Church mission medical team; Kuwait/Bosnia vet Eric Pfeil, then an Army sergeant, now a civilian; and Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. Staff Sgts. Amber Martin and Cindy Ferl. ``We really appreciate this chance to volunteer and help out these guys who have gone before us and done so much,'' said Martin. ``My grandfather was a World War II Navy vet with service in the South Pacific and my father was in Vietnam.'' Vietnam vet Dennis Olson, a former Marine lance corporal lance corporal n. 1. Abbr. LCpl A noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Marine Corps that is above private first class and below corporal. 2. One who holds this rank. , said he really appreciated the Stand Down. ``It's good for all vets, especially those of us who are homeless. To make it better, it would be nice if more showers were available to us,'' he said. ``I had to wash up today in the Phoenix High School bathroom.'' ``Every time we have one of these, we make note of things we need to add or subtract for the next one,'' said Steve Baker, the event co-chairman. ``Maybe we'll eventually have all the wrinkles ironed out. Each one seems to be a little better than the last one,'' he said. ``Other areas have started to copy us now. That's a good thing!'' Just before the doors closed and the cleanup began, Vietnam vet Eddie Roboto of California City was busy shaking the hands of volunteers and telling them, ``Thank you for doing all this for us. It's a wonderful thing that you do!'' Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster and Palmdale have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk, for the suggested donation of $2. Monday: Fish sandwich or cheeseburger, macaroni macaroni: see pasta. salad, pork and beans Noun 1. pork and beans - dried beans cooked with pork and tomato sauce dish - a particular item of prepared food; "she prepared a special dish for dinner" , ice cream. Tuesday: Pork chop Pork Chop An arrangement on the floor of the NYSE whereby clerks cover the booth of a floor broker and accept orders, phone calls, and associated tasks. Notes: The clerks in charge of maintaining the booths are directly compensated by the floor brokers who own them. , sweet potatoes, broccoli, coleslaw cole·slaw also cole slaw n. A salad of finely shredded raw cabbage and sometimes shredded carrots, dressed with mayonnaise or a vinaigrette. , applesauce. Wednesday: Taco salad, Spanish rice, peaches. Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, parslied carrots, coleslaw, cookies. Friday: Chicken with mushroom sauce, wild rice, Normandy vegetables, Caesar salad, orange. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Stand Down volunteer Tim McCuley dances with Blue Star Mother Dorothy Morgan at the recent event. (2) Bosnia war veteran Eric Pfeil volunteers at Stand Down with Staff Sgts. Amber Martin and Cindy Ferl. Both women are on active duty at Edwards Air Force Base; homeless Marine Corps veteran Dennis Olson served in Vietnam. Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News |
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