Standing up for Veterans at a Stand Down

On a sunny October morning in Houston, hundreds of Veterans stood at attention for the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance during the opening ceremonies of the Houston Stand Down for Veterans.

As the ceremony came to a close, the air was filled with conversation, laughter and anticipation as the Veterans lined up to enter the Stand Down event.

More than 100 community, government and Veterans service organizations were set up, ready to offer vital resources and assistance. For these Veterans, the Stand Down represents more than a day of services. It symbolizes hope and a chance for a fresh start.

Pictured above, Sandra Posada, director of Houston VA's Post-9/11 Military2VA program, fist bumps a Veteran at the Stand Down.

The term "stand down" originated in the military where it referred to a time when soldiers could rest and regain strength after the stresses of combat. Today, it serves a similar purpose for Veterans who find themselves in need of assistance with housing or other services.

This year's Houston Stand Down, sponsored by Michael E. DeBakey VA and the City of Houston, welcomed over 750 Veterans each with their own story and journey.

"I'm amazed by all the support and help available here."

Among them was Navy Veteran Jon Foster, a native Texan who moved to Houston earlier this year after getting out of the military in 2022.

"I've had more than my share of bad luck since I got out of the Navy. I lost two civilian jobs and my house before I ended up crashing on friends' couches for a few months. About a month ago I slept one night on the street when I had nowhere else to go. It was a wakeup call," Foster shared.

Foster, who spent ten years in the Navy and participated in numerous overseas deployments, says he connected with a VA counselor just weeks ago and is already feeling more optimistic.

"My counselor is helping me set goals to get a job that will get me back to being myself. She suggested I come to this Stand Down and I'm amazed by all the support and help available here," he said.

Available assistance and resources at the Houston Stand Down included housing assistance, VA health care, education, employment opportunities, legal assistance, transportation, hygiene products, clothing, food, women Veteran services, dental services, haircuts, furniture, family services and more.

The Greater Houston area is home to more than 300,000 Veterans, one of the largest Veteran populations in the United States. Houston VA cares for a growing population of more than 131,000 Veterans, with women Veterans the fastest growing population of Veterans served.

"We have been working hard to support and care for the growing number of Veterans receiving care from our health care system," said Frank Vazquez, Houston VA director. "VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans because it is our nation's duty to ensure all Veterans have a place to call home. The words 'homeless' and 'Veteran' should not exist together."

"I'm truly overwhelmed at the amount of help here."

Army Veteran Lakeisha Brooks attended the Houston Stand Down and says she was struck by how many community groups and organizations were there with resources. Brooks, who has a 4-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son, says her family fell on hard times last year when they were the victims of a robbery.

"We are working really hard to turn things around after our stuff was stolen. I got out of the military 15 years ago so I didn't even think to go to VA for help at first. I'm truly overwhelmed at the amount of help here. I am leaving with a nice outfit I can wear for a job interview I have coming up. I appreciate this more than you know," Brooks said.

According to social worker Emily Winfield, one of the co-chairs of the Stand Down, it was great to see the camaraderie among the Veterans in attendance.

"The Stand Down is more than just an event. It's a reminder to our Veterans that the Houston and Texas community stand behind those who serve. When we give them compassion and caring along with the appropriate resources, there is no limit to how far they can go," Winfield said.

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