VETS' STAND DOWN A SUCCESS.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist

LANCASTER - Fifty-seven veterans at the first 2006 Antelope Valley Stand Down were treated to a USO-type show, health services, new clothing and many other perks.

``Stand down'' is a military term for sending combat troops away from the front lines to a safe place for rest and recuperation. The Jan. 21 event, the latest in a series conducted since 2003, was aimed at veterans coping with problems, though it was open to all veterans and their families.

``It was a whole community showing its veterans how much they care for and appreciate them,'' said Steve Baker, executive director of the Grace Resource Center food bank in Lancaster and Stand Down co-chairman. ``To us, it's a heartwarming feeling, to say the least.''

For the first time, the event was held at Grace Chapel, 44645 15th St. W. It was also the first time USO-style entertainment was offered and for the first time, dental services included on-site fillings and extractions.

The facility's layout, with a stage at one end, lent itself well to the USO show. There was no Bob Hope, of course, but headliners Edd Freeman of Chico Vega's Drifters, and his wife, Sharon, made up for that.

Performing as well were teenage vocalists Jacob Nelson and Lindsay Jordan.

Lisa Pittmon, Barbara Adams, the group of Shea Dittman & Wayne Perry with Pam, Erin and Kendra; Joan Swindlehurst and Chris Bostwick got applause as well.

Mario Rosales, disc jockey and stand-up comedian, added humor to the day and sang a few Sinatra tunes.

In the past, Stand Down dental care consisted of consultations and referrals. This time, dentists Neil Greene and Richard Rojas, members of a dental missionary group from Quartz Hill Foursquare Church, set up the equipment they use in their globe-trotting ministry.

Alexis Jobe and Charmayne Zegan from the San Fernando Beauty Academy in Lancaster gave haircuts to veterans.

The Lion's Club Eyemobile, under the administration of Wayne Hoffmeyer, provided vision screenings. The Lancaster Rotary Club served breakfast, lunch and sack dinners after retreat sounded at 3:30 p.m.

Arch Shifflett of Acton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10606 manned the clothing tables where new and good used clothing and blankets could be obtained.

Employment counseling was offered, as was assistance in finding shelter or taking care of missed court appearances and other legal problems.

When veteran Jim Harris was asked what services he liked most, he doffed his knit cap to show his new haircut. One of the younger vets to show up was Dirk Ortega, who came in a wheelchair, his left foot and leg in a plaster cast from what he said was a service-related injury.

``I broke it on Parris Island when I jumped off a truck,'' Ortega said.

Marcus David Rich got some counseling from Hulofton ``James'' Robinson, a worker from the U.S. Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Veterans Outreach program. When they were finished, Rich sat down at the piano and pounded out a tune.

Lancaster High School Junior ROTC cadets raised the flag in the morning and Highland High School cadets sounded retreat in the afternoon. Other teens helped serve food and distributed sodas and bottles of water throughout the day.

``I think these one-day events are far more effective than the longer ones,'' said the other Stand Down co-chairman, retired naval officer Tom Craft. ``Our vets get just as much attention and it isn't dragged out so long that they get bored.''

``It's also easier on our volunteers,'' agreed George Palermo, head of the Point Man of Antelope Valley Vietnam veterans organization and committee secretary.

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 a suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Chili egg puff, chili beans, spinach, vegetable soup, coleslaw, apple.

Tuesday: Baked ziti, baked vegetables, garden salad, apple juice, vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Cranberry chicken, wild rice, juice, green beans, carrot salad, gelatin with fruit.

Thursday: Roast turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, tossed salad, cheesecake.

Friday: Barbecued pork sandwich or fish fillet, soup, scalloped potatoes, corn, marinated salad, citrus cup.

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Photo:

Veteran Dirk Ortega came to the A.V. Stand Down in a wheelchair with his broken leg in a cast.

Bettie Rencoret/Daily News