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Veterans Stand Down event set Sept. 22 in Dover

September 13, 2017

The Ninth Annual Veterans Stand Down will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at Shutte Park, 10 Electric Ave. (off West Water Street beyond Kraft Foods), Dover.

Stand downs are events for veterans who need assistance, some of whom are homeless. This event is one of the annual projects carried out by the Veterans Awareness Center Foundation in Greenwood, a 501(c)(3) created by Liz Byers-Jiron, her husband Bill and their daughter Mindy.

Retired Gen. Frank Vavala, Delaware's former adjutant general, will provide opening remarks.

More than 114 presenters will provide information on benefits and housing, toiletry kits, a hot meal and services from the Veterans Administration. There will be barbers, dentists, a mobile medical van, flu shots, behavioral health and suicide prevention information, legal advice, and services from the motor vehicle department. A DJ will provide music.

"Our team works about six months putting each event together. We work with outstanding people in businesses, government, nonprofit organizations and individuals from across the state," said Byers-Jiron. "We encourage veterans to come out and avail themselves of what we have to offer. They deserve no less for their dedicated service."

More than 1,100 people attended last year's event at the Walter Fox Post in Dover.

Other foundation veteran outreach activities include a tea for women veterans, and providing turkey dinners for Thanksgiving and holiday packages at Christmas.

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