Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Armando Vasquez | Sgt. 1st Class Orlando Tronco, a culinary specialist with the 902nd Quartermaster...... read more read more
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New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 42nd Regional Support Group and Airmen from the108th Wing joined forces with state and federal agencies, GI Go Fund and other non-government organizations to provide much needed assistance to more than 100 homeless Veterans at the North Jersey Stand Down conducted at John F. Kennedy Recreational Center in Newark, New Jersey, October 14, 2023.
At the event, Soldiers from the 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 42nd RSG, assisted the participants by guiding them through the many social service kiosks available to them. Additionally, culinary specialist Soldiers from 902nd Quartermaster Company, also with the 42nd RSG, prepared hot meals of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, vegetables, and nutritious salads, while medical technician Airmen from the 108th Medical Group provided medical screenings.
“This is my first time doing this type of mission,” said Spc. Anthony Pilay, culinary specialist, 902nd QM. “I am happy to be providing a hand to those who need it. Stand Down is such a great program and it’s good to know that people are there for you when in need.”
Many Veterans return home after their service to unexpected situations and financial emergencies that can result in homelessness.
“On any given night, one in every five people living on the streets is a Veteran and that is a tragedy,” said Joseph Bongon, Director of Veteran Services at GI Go Fund.
Stand Downs are typically one to three-day events during which Veteran organizations’ staff and volunteers provide food, clothing, and health screenings to homeless and at-risk Veterans. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services. They are grass roots, community-based intervention programs to help Veterans battle life on the streets.
With the motto of “Always Ready, Always There!” the New Jersey National Guard has been supporting New Jersey’s Stand Down events for more than a decade.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2023 09:04 |
| Story ID: | 456273 |
| Location: | NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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