Set for Friday, June 6 is the next Berrien County Veterans Services Office Veteran Stand Down event.
The office holds the gatherings as a way to connect Berrien County veterans with services in the community. Erik Larsen is a veterans services officer with the county and tells us many veterans aren’t aware of all the things available to them. He knows that from experience.
“Myself, I was a veteran when I got out,” Laresen said. “I didn’t know all the stuff that was available to me or where to start, I guess, how to become a veteran.”
So, Larsen says the Veterans Stand Down will feature organizations that can offer veterans access to food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health information, job counseling, referrals, and most importantly, companionship.
The Stand Down is a popular event.
“We had about 185 veterans and family members show up to the last year’s stand down. We’re planning for more than that this year.”
Last year’s Stand Down event featured live music, food and drinks, military surplus items, free haircuts, self-care workshops, and benefit check-ups. Larsen says this year they’ll have Roger’s Foodland providing the meals.
The Stand Down will be June 6 at the Berrien County Conference Room next to the Berrien County Health Department on Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Larsen says it’s best if someone attending registers in advance so organizers know what to expect, but you can just show up.
