Congressman Garamendi Addresses Veterans at North Bay Stand Down, Speech Highlights Importance of Helping Women Veterans

DIXON, CA – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Yuba City, Davis, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, spoke to dozens of homeless and low-income veterans and their supporters at the North Bay Stand Down in Dixon recently. Garamendi, the son of a World War II Major, emphasized the importance of helping those who served our nation and took special note of the importance of standing up for women veterans.

“Today is all about the military. It’s about those people in the military that have served and need a little bit of help, a little payback for what they did during their tour of service,” Congressman Garamendi said. “Today as we go about taking care of the veterans who in many different ways fell through the cracks and need help getting back on their feet, I want us to take a special thought for the returning women veterans who have signed up for assistance today.”

Women are currently 10% of America’s veteran population and 14.5% of active duty service members.

The North Day Stand Down is one of many Stand Downs nationwide organized by veterans, active duty servicemembers, military families, and committed volunteers. They provide a one-stop shop for many different services for veterans who could use a helping hand. The North Bay Stand Down has been assisting homeless and at-risk veterans since 2002 in the counties of Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo, and veterans from other counties are not turned away.

The Office of Congressman Garamendi participates at the 3rd District’s three Stand Downs, providing constituent services for veterans who are having an issue with a federal agency like the Veterans Administration. To date, Congressman Garamendi and his staff have secured more than $5.1 million in earned benefits denied to veterans due to bureaucratic oversight and delay.

Other services available at the Stand Down for homeless and low-income veterans include access to basic mental and dental care, legal assistance, housing assistance, financial aid, counseling, mental health and substance abuse assistance, sleeping bags, and a good meal.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Garamendi provided a Congressional Commendation to two longstanding supporters of the Stand Down who have stepped up to run it this year: Jeffrey and Lynn Jewell.