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Standdown Thankyou

By Bill Branson

Here is the text of a letter we received from the VA. I want to especially thank the volunteers from Champaign-Urbana, St. Louis and Milwaukee, including those who I know tried hard to make it, but were defeated by circumstances. I also want to make sure that we all understand the role that the Vietnam Vets of America, Viet Now and Veterans of Foreign Wars play every year. They raise money, buy food and come in to cook and serve it. We have forged a mutual respect for each other founded on hard work and service to our fellow vets. Our politics on non-vet related issues may be far apart, but we are the same in our hearts. Please try to reserve a weekday for the winter Standdown. It is, in many respects, more of a necessity to homeless vets than the summer event. The homeless people who are stuck here in Chicago for a winter really need the clothing, services and those two hot dogs that we serve.

Bill Branson

Dear Bill:
Once again I need to thank you and other VVAW members for the tremendous job that you did managing the kitchen for Standdown. Each year the operation seems to go smoother and this year was no exception. To feed hundreds of hungry veterans and volunteers three meals a day is no small feat and you make it look easy. I know that you are solving problems all day long as well as dealing with lots of personalities. I appreciate that when you are in charge in the kitchen, I just don't have to worry about it any more. I received a phone call on Monday morning from a vet who had been at Standdown. He had preregistered from my Vet Center and, interestingly enough, he called to tell me thank you. He talked about the things he got accomplished at Standdown, but he ended his thank you with "and I ate better than I have in months!" I am sure he is not alone. The quality and quantity of food that you send out of the kitchen is far better than most of the veterans that come to Standdown are used to having. Thank you for making this happen. We will be planning a Winter Standdown for sometime close to Veterans' Day. I will get back to you as soon as I have a date.

Warmest regards,

Jeanne A. Douglas, Ph.D
Standdown Steering Comm.