Veteran event was successful

SANDPOINT - Many communities pride themselves on the respect and honor they bestow on local veterans, but that sentiment does not always translate to real, tangible support.

Bonner County came together in July to put its money where its mouth is, hosting the first Sandpoint Veterans Stand Down. The event was sponsored jointly by the Department of Veterans Affairs homeless veterans program, the Bonner County Veterans Services Office and the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter.

The stand down, which took place at the Bonner County Fairgrounds July 12, was attended by 411 veterans, along with their children and spouses.

Among other things, event organizers distributed more than $400,000 in military surplus items and another $5,300 in food.

The stand down also offered veterans a number of health services, Social Security counseling, job training assistance and social and survival services.

Don Carr of Bonner County Veterans Services helped organize the event and was thrilled with the outcome.

"It exceeded our expectations in almost every way. It was our first one here in Sandpoint, so we were sort of winging it, but with good help from people that have done it before," Carr said. "We'll do a little tweaking and patching for next year, but it was remarkably successful."

The public's response to the stand down was so enthusiastic that organizers were left with nearly $5,500 in donations to purchase food for next year's event.

"It was remarkable, just remarkable," Carr said of the community assistance. "They are very supportive of veterans in the community."

The stand down went off without substantial problems, but the real test of the event's success came from the reaction of the vets themselves, which Carr said was very positive.

"They were very pleased. We got compliments from veterans who have been to other stand downs, and stand down chairpersons and organizers from other stand downs were very complimentary," Carr said.