FIRST 2019 VETERANS STANDOWN THIS WEEK IN BULLHEAD CITY
Story by AARON RICCA
BULLHEAD CITY – Mohave County veterans, homeless and in need of help, will have an opportunity to get the information and assistance they need to get back on their feet.
Operation 6 and the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council will be hosting the bi-annual Tri-State Veterans Stand Down 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bullhead Community Park and Chamber of Commerce at 1251 Highway 95.
This is the seventh year JAVC has been holding this event.
“Homeless veterans are our target audience,” said JAVC President Pat Farrell. “But all veterans are welcome to attend.”
Services offered, but not limited to, include applying for VA benefits and medical care, employment information, housing assistance, women’s services and counseling. There will also be pet services, HIV and hepatitis C testing, clothing, showers, hygiene items and of course, food.
Farrell didn’t have a total number of veterans that have attended over the years but said nearly 300 veterans showed up at last year’s stand down.
“We’ve built huge inroads in helping the homeless veteran community,” he said. “We even saved the lives of two people from heart attacks last year.”

Veterans will need some proof of identification to get assistance. A DD-214, VA identification card or even an old or expired military ID will work.
For those who can’t get to the park on their own, there will be pick up times and locations in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Golden Valley, Golden Shores, Kingman, Laughlin and Lake Havasu City.
This will be the last year for the two-day stand down. Farrell is organizing resource fairs to be held in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City and Parker throughout the year.
He was scrambling to find volunteers for the event but said he has enough now and encourages the public to come out and see what services are available for their veteran family members and friends. They can also donate supplies.
“Come by and see what we’re about,” Farrell said.
For more information on the stand down, JAVC and Operation 6, go to HYPERLINK “http://www.javc.org” www.javc.org.