North Iowa Events Center saw an influx of military veterans from North Iowa and southern Minnesota on Saturday. Operation Golden Hawk Stand Down served more than 500 veterans in its third annual event.
Services were offered by over 20 regional agencies, and veterans were offered a multitude of items to take with them.
Board President Peter Bieber said the event was a success.
“When we first started we hoped to serve 50 vets and ended up having almost 200,” Bieber said. “The next year we revised that number higher and still had more than we expected. This year we shot for 500, and we seem to be pretty close to that number.”
In addition to military surplus items, clothing and household goods donated by community members, vets were given access to a food box packed and donated by Hy-Vee and a swag bag of useful items.
Agencies varied from housing support to veteran’s appreciation groups. Services such as notary, financial planning, haircuts and others were provided free of charge.
Veteran’s Stand Down Treasurer Angelyn Lander says the Stand Down is a high-energy daylong event that offers veterans nearly any support they may need. “We spend the whole year planning for this. We fundraise and collect items all year,” she said. “We focus on what the needs are and bring in people who can help.”
To learn more about Operation Golden Hawk or the North Iowa and Southern Minnesota Veteran’s Stand Down, visit operationgoldenhawk.com.
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