The Stand Down Event aims to connect our community with homeless veterans, working to dismantle the barriers that keep our heroes on the streets. This initiative, rooted in the philosophy of providing a “hand-up” rather than a “hand-out,” relies on the dedication of countless volunteers, businesses, and numerous local, state, and national organizations.
I was thrilled to participate in this event several years ago in our community, where I provided on-site assistance to veterans, hoping to help reconnect them with their families. If I could assist even one of these heroes in finding answers or closure, it would make the entire weekend worthwhile. As fate would have it, I was able to help three individuals, and today, I’d like to share one of those stories while respecting their privacy by changing their names.
Several years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Veteran Joe, one of our nation’s heroes, during a local Stand Down event that connects veterans, many of whom are homeless, with essential services. Joe approached my table and shared his story; he was eager to find his father, whom he hadn’t seen in decades and had only briefly spoken to in the early 2000s. A new marriage had severed family ties, leaving Joe and his six siblings out of touch with their father.
Joe felt a deep longing to reconnect; he wanted to share stories about his grandchildren and express how much he loved him. After enduring some tough years, he was finally celebrating two years of sobriety and wanted his father to know about his journey. Despite his hopes, Joe was also aware that his father might have already passed away, and he sought the closure that would come with knowing the truth.
I regretfully confirmed that Joe’s father had indeed passed away in 2007. I delivered this news to Joe the day after Thanksgiving, and he expressed gratitude for finally having that closure. I reassured him that I believed his father had been watching over him during these past two years and would be genuinely proud of the man he had become.