Needy Conn. veterans to be served at daylong event

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP) — Needy and homeless veterans can receive free medical screenings and legal assistance at the annual Stand Down 2012 event, being held at the Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill.

The event runs Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Veterans are asked to arrive by noon to access services.

The term Stand Down means a temporary stop during military action. The first Stand Down event was organized in 1988 by a group of veterans in San Diego. Similar events have since been held across the country.

Stand Downs typically provide homeless vets with services such as food, clothing, health screenings, federal and state benefits counseling, as well as referrals to other services, such as employment and education assistance.

Transportation from numerous homeless shelters across Connecticut will begin early Friday morning.