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Gold Star father Harold Geer of Cortez drove his son\u2019s 1968 Dodge Charger to the La Plata County Fairgrounds on Thursday.<\/p>\n
He parked it in front of the Exhibit Hall, drawing the interest of veterans who came and went from the annual daylong Southwest Colorado \u201cStand Down.\u201d<\/p>\n
The car, built in the Vietnam era, is a catalyst for making veterans stop and talk, Geer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt lets them connect with their memories and different times,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard war stories, I\u2019ve heard car stories, I\u2019ve heard mental-health stories \u2013 and it\u2019s just good. I cry, they cry, we laugh, we hug.\u201d<\/p>\n
His son, George Geer, 27, was killed Jan. 17, 2005, when stopping a suspicious vehicle headed for an American compound in Iraq. Army troops removed one of the occupants and were trying to remove the driver when a \u201cmassive\u201d car bomb exploded, killing troops and civilians, Harold Geer said.<\/p>\n
Geer\u2019s car was a momentary diversion for the more than 100 veterans who received a \u201chand up\u201d at the event, which included massages, acupuncture, legal advice, haircuts and much more.<\/p>\n
The goal is to connect veterans with benefits before winter arrives, said Jenna Schaefer, event coordinator.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s for all veterans, but the target is to find the homeless and at-risk veterans,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hand up, not a handout.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Stand Down is a one-stop shop for veterans who may not otherwise know what services are available to them, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe military and the civilian world are two different worlds, and this helps them integrate back into the civilian world,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cIt\u2019s a way for the community to show support for the veterans and for the veterans to see that the community supports them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben Martinez, owner of ReyLynn\u2019s Barber Lounge Hair Studio, said a new look can boost confidence and help veterans find employment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a way to give back,\u201d said Martinez, who has participated in the annual Southwest Colorado \u201cStand Down\u201d event for three years. \u201cIf you love this community, you\u2019ve got to love our vets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stand Down has grown during its past four years in Durango, both in the number of participants and vendors providing services, Schaefer said.<\/p>\n
Kassidy\u2019s Kitchen served hot meals to veterans all day.<\/p>\n
AJ Deschneau of Bayfield said he first attended the Stand Down two years ago and was connected with the Veterans Affairs clinic for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust to see the support in general; it\u2019s amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m glad they put it on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martinez said helping veterans is more than a one-day activity for him. He makes connections at the Stand Down and is willing to help those in need any time of the year, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat they do for us, the least we can do is to give them a free haircut,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool being a barber. It\u2019s kind of like a therapist. You\u2019re able to lend support and encouragement.\u201d<\/p>\n