Veterans gather to receive services; Paul honored for lifetime of service

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Howard County loves its veterans. It should. The community has the second largest concentration of military veterans per capita of any city in the nation. And they were honored Nov. 7 with the Howard County Stand Down.

The event, hosted at the United Auto Workers Local 685 hall, connected veterans with a variety of services, from simple things like free flu shots, wellness checks, and haircuts, to impactful things like housing, food assistance, and clothing. Dozens of providers set up booths to serve those who served.

Greg Schultz with the U.S. National Guard explained to the packed house how the Stand Down movement got its name and its start.

“In 1988, two Vietnam veterans created the first Veterans Stand Down,” said Schultz. “Stand Down was modeled after a concept that was utilized during the Vietnam War, which provided a safe haven for those soldiers that were in combat operations to get away from it for a little bit to rest, recuperate, get personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy some camaraderie, maybe some medical and dental care, maybe write a letter to home and receive a letter from home.”

Given its history, organizing a Stand Down for veterans connects to them with something familiar, and the event mirrors much of what the Stand Down meant in the field. And it provides much more.

“The veteran Stand Down is an intervention that was created to transform the despair of homeless veterans, to get in recovery, to resolve legal issues, to seek employment and to access physical and mental health benefits,” said Schultz. “It reconnects them to the community.”

Schultz disclosed that there were 20,067 veterans living in homeless shelters and another 15,500 who went unsheltered nationally in 2023. In Indiana, that number was 488. One-third of all homeless in the U.S. are veterans.

“Statistics show that veterans are twice as likely as other Americans to be chronically homeless,” said Schultz. “The Veterans Administration has reported that male veterans are 1.3 times more likely to become homeless than non-veterans. For females, it's even higher: 3.6 times more likely for female veterans to be homeless compared to non-veterans.”

There are a variety of causes of homelessness for this population, Schultz explained. A lack of affordable housing. A lack of livable income from employment. Limited access to mental and physical healthcare. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Substance abuse. A lack of family support. The list is long.

The Howard County Stand Down, organized by the Howard County Family Service Association, is one method to address these deficits and improve the lives of those who risked their lives for freedom. Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore was on hand to express the appreciation of the community and to commemorate the day.

“Our community loves its veterans and demonstrates that year after year, so it's a blessing and an honor to serve as mayor and do what we can to support all those in need,” said Moore. “Thank you each and every organization that's here, providing service as we celebrate and recognize veterans. We are truly blessed as a community. Thank you, veterans and family members of veterans, for your continuous service that affords us the freedoms that so many of us take for granted.”

One veteran in particular was recognized for his contributions to the community. Moore expressed the honor he felt in celebrating the accomplishments of Jerry Paul.

“This gentleman is not only being recognized for his bravery and outstanding service in the past, but his continuous, outstanding service and commitment to veterans and to our community,” said Moore.

Paul was recognized for his years of effort getting various monuments to veterans and their families erected in downtown Kokomo as well as at the Howard County Veterans Memorial Park.

“His tireless efforts to uplift the legacies and stories of our veterans and their families through numerous monument projects, and Jerry's consistent, selfless acts of kindness and care for local veterans and their families is second to none,” said Moore. “On behalf of a grateful city, thank you for bringing such incredible monuments to honor both men and women in the armed forces to our community. Those efforts do not go unnoticed.”

It also was announced that Paul soon will be awarded the Gold Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts. But Paul was quick to share the credit with so many in the community who assisted in his mission.

“Everything that's been done, you have to have one thing,” said Paul.  “Somebody who believes in what you're doing and what we've done. We've had thousands of people throughout the years support us. So, this for everybody that's ever helped us.”