A helping hand to Connecticut veterans

Rocky Hill, Conn. (WTNH) - They risked their lives defending our freedom, but when their service was over, some of them had trouble adjusting to civilian life. This is called 'Stand Down' and it's one day a year that those who served can get everything they deserve.

For some, Stand Down at the Rocky Hill VA means a rare trip to the dentist or some new clothes given away for free. For Martin Crane it means anything he can get.

"It took the Vietnam war 35-40 years to run me down, now I'm next to nothing," Crane said, "but fortunately our great nation hasn't forgotten me."

"For me this day is one more way to say thank you to our veterans," Gov. M. Jodi Rell, (R) Connecticut, said. "I love coming because I love seeing the smile on their faces when they know that people care."

They know people care, but many of the men and women here have trouble caring for themselves. They end up unemployed and in need of a home, like Marine veteran Amos Halloway.

"A lot of mental health issues, a lot of depression and a lot veterans have PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) from the wars and it's really hard," he said.

"Most of the problem is many of them have no idea what benefits are already available to them through the federal and state government and that's one of the most important aspects of this," Connecticut Veterans' Affairs Commissioner Dr. Linda S. Schwartz said.

Booths and tents at Stand Down offer information on long-term help. And volunteers offer short-term help, be it medical or legal.

"I was in need of a public defender," said army veteran Rosalind Bryant-Shipman, "so I did talk to someone about that and I believe I'm going to get some more help."

"I got my dental done to day and I feel really good and I'm just grateful that they're giving back to us," Amos Halloway said. "We served our country and we deserve something."

Stand Down is just one day a year, but every day of the year, the state and other agencies and charities provide all kinds of services to our veterans. And every veteran News 8 spoke with agrees about one thing: Connecticut knows how to take care of its veterans.