Operation Stand Down

Airmen from Tyndall volunteered their time Sept. 24 at the “Stand Down” event to help veterans who have fallen on hard times at First Baptist Family Life Center, Panama City, Fla. The “Stand Down” helped deliver services and supplies, such as meals, hygiene items and supportive social services, to Bay County veterans in need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Miller/Released)

Operation Stand Down

Volunteers at the “Stand Down” event pack supplies to be given to veterans in need Sept. 24 at First Baptist Family Life Center, Panama City, Fla. Service members from all branches of the military escorted and assisted veterans fill up duffel bags of much needed supplies. Members of Team Tyndall donated supplies such as towels and hygiene items to the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Miller/Released)

Operation Stand Down

Published Sept. 30, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Cody Miller
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- An event to benefit veterans in need was hosted by Career Source Gulf Coast at First Baptist Family Life Center, Panama City, Fla. Sept. 24,.

Airmen from Tyndall volunteered their time at the "Stand Down" event to help veterans who have fallen on hard times. The "Stand Down" helped deliver services and supplies, such as meals, hygiene items and supportive social services, to Bay County veterans in need.

"My grandfather was in Vietnam and didn't get a lot of support when he came back," Senior Airman Rebbecka L. Freidhof, 325th Security Forces Squadron control dispatcher. "I wanted to volunteer and help any veterans so that they didn't have to struggle like he did."

Service members from all branches of the military escorted and assisted veterans fill up duffel bags of much needed supplies. Members of Team Tyndall donated supplies such as towels and hygiene items to the event.

Many Airmen could be seen helping carry plates of food and bags of fresh clothes for the veterans. The Canadian detachment from First Air Force was also well represented at the charity event.

"Canada and the U.S. have a long history of being friends," said Maj. Blaise Boutilier, a 601 Air Operations Command combat plans specialist. "We pretty much don't go one place without the other. We've always had a strong brotherhood. It's important to help all veterans both from the U.S. and Canada."

More than 30 organizations contributed services such as hot meals, haircuts, blood sugar tests, medical evaluations, employment services, social services and even housing referrals for the veterans that have been forced to live on the streets.

"This was a great event," said Luther Barrett, a veteran and former Air Force industrial engineering technician of 24 years. "Joining the Air Force was one of the best things I ever did. I learned discipline and other lifelong advantages. More importantly, I learned what real brother was."