Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Lt. Col. Eric C. Warner, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, and Soldier for Life...... read more read more
SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. – Lt. Col. Eric C. Warner, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, and Soldier for Life program representative, visited Joe Leal, Vet Hunters Project founder, at the Heroes in the Shadows Third Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down held at the Whittier Narrow Recreation Area in South El Monte, Calif. April 4.
Heroes in the Shadows, a three-day event, brought together more than 40 private and governmental organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to offer nine types of services to veterans that include medical, dental, counseling, and job placement.
The Soldiers for Life program helps soldiers who are transitioning to civilian life, highlighting their exceptional training, critical skill sets and proven talents, so that they can bring those talents back to their local communities.
“I love what I am seeing here today. I want you to know what you are doing here is resonating back in Washington,” said Warner. “I want the all the veterans out there to know that we have not forgotten you.”
Since some homeless vets camped at the event overnight, the 693rd Quartermaster Company, led by Jacob Quan, set up tents and structures in the park. This allowed veterans to take advantage of the three-day event.
The Two Guys Grilling, from Dana Point, Calif., provided hot meals throughout the event. Gary Penn, one of the two guys, was himself a Navy Seal and part of the famed SEAL Team Six team.
The Vet Hunters Project is a grass roots movement that was started by one Soldier who vowed to honor his fallen comrades, by serving the living and leaving no veteran behind.
“This is one of the ways we can help our community and former veterans,” said Leal. “We hope that we can continue to have these events in the future and have continued support from the local community.”
Free medical screenings, both dental and physical, were given. Professional School of Beauty gave free haircuts. Veterans picked up care packages from Operation Gratitude and clothing from distributed by AMVET.
During the three days, hundreds of veterans from all five services were helped. Many local residents who were not veterans were also helped.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2014 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 124735 |
| Location: | EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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