Stand Down serves as thank you, connection between Manatee community and veterans

At a wooden picnic table inside the Manatee County Fairgrounds Saturday morning, sharing his sausage patty with his small dog named Rusty Dusty in his lap, was Melvin Miller. His trusty terrier has been with him for about three years and rides in the stroller that holds most of Miller’s belongings.

But more than a dog, Rusty is Miller’s best friend and loving companion who has seen the best and worst of the world in front of his four paws.

“He sees all the ups and downs. The haves and the have-nots. He sees all that,” Miller said.

Miller, who said he came to Florida from Ohio, has been homeless in the Palmetto area for a little over a year. He said he was incarcerated for about 24 years — but did not want to go into detail — and was laid off recently from his job.

“I just try to maintain,” Miller said.

Miller and Rusty were served breakfast as part of the Stand Down event Saturday morning at the fairgrounds. The event, hosted by The Yellow Ribbon Homeless Veterans Program, is part of Turning Points’ effort to assist the homeless citizens in Manatee County. It focuses on helping homeless and potentially homeless veterans along with their families. But the doors are also open to non-veterans and their families so they can also get access to services.

Throughout the day, more than 200 volunteers helped about 200 people get a hot breakfast, showers, hygiene products, clothing, general and mental health screenings, flu shots, dental and vision services, veteran services and legal service consultations.

“It’s a way to say thank you to all the veterans who have provided service but fallen on hard times. It’s a chance to say thank you and help them out,” Adell Erozer, executive director of Turning Points, said.

By 7:45 a.m., a line nearly 100 people long had wrapped around the block at the entrance to the fairgrounds for the 19th annual Stand Down event. When the gates opened at 8 a.m., they walked in, greeted by a sea of neon green volunteer T-shirts.

While he appreciates all the services and the hot meal, it’s the company that brought Miller back to the Stand Down event for a second time.

For William Watson, who served in the Army from 1973 to 1978 and now has four sons all serving in the military, the event is more of a social one.

“I’ve been coming here for 10 years,” Watson said. “I see some people I haven’t seen in years.”

Watson, who bounces between staying at different family member’s homes, spent most of the morning sitting at a table with a couple of other men, including Andre Haisley. They waved at others as they passed and shared conversation with others. Mostly, they just enjoyed each others company.

Haisley said he served in an Army tank unit and hurt his back during military maneuvers. Stand Down, he said, shows him how much the community appreciates veterans.

“It provides me with clothing and the inspiration to keep trying to get access to benefits and stuff,” Haisley said. “It means a lot to me because it shows appreciation for our sacrifices.”

While the event works to coordinate veterans and homeless civilians to resources, it’s a community effort to help those in need and thank veterans for their service.

Miller, too, was appreciative of the support from the community.

“I love when citizens come together and do something from the heart,” Miller said. “I appreciate everyone here.”

“Its just amazing to see the community come together and provide things that this community needs,” Derrick Heard, manager of The Yellow Ribbon Program, said.

The 20th year of the Stand Down will take place Nov. 3, 2018.

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Stand Down serves as thank you, connection between Manatee community and veterans."