Program That Helps Veterans In Need Kicks Off Last Year At Current Site

Delaware Valley Stand Down likely won’t be coming back to the old Thiokol property next year.

According to a county spokesman and Stand Down organizers, the county won’t be inviting Stand Down, an annual effort to provide needed services and support to “positively change the lives of the areas homeless veterans and their families,” to return to the old Bucks County-owned Thiokol property near the Levittown Library in Bristol Township for 2017.

The reason for the move was not immediately made clear to Stand Down organizers. However, organizers are searching for a new location to set up their Stand Down camp next year.

Between donations, sponsorships from area businesses, volunteer efforts and the county, the Stand Down weekend is free for veterans.

The event kicked off Friday afternoon following speeches from area Stand Down Director Eddie Speller, State Rep. Tom Murt, a veteran himself, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, his congressional candidate brother Brian Fitzpatrick and several other officials includes a chance for Philadelphia-area veterans to get a hand up. The camp offers a place to sleep, hot meals, entertainment and the opportunity to connect the former military members with public services that can benefit them.

Many of the veterans who attend the event are bused in from all around the region, including a large percentage from Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Administration Director Daniel Hendee told LevittownNow.com he is aware Stand Down is looking for a new location and hopes to help support them. He added that he believes in the program and wants to work to help get the homeless veteran population down to zero, a goal he said is achievable.

The event, which is named after military slang for a rest period, started at Lighthouse Field in Philadelphia before moving to the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia before moving to Bristol Township several years back.

Despite the worry over the future location of the event, volunteers from the program, the American Red Cross and various other groups were preparing Friday to help the veterans enjoy three worry-free days.