Stand Down Event Helps Veterans Stand on Their Own
For two days in June, Belcourt, North Dakota and the Sky Dancer Casino
and Hotel hosted the 2nd Annual Stand Down Event for veterans.
Veterans, spouses, and caregivers from all backgrounds were invited to come together to network, listen, and
learn about resources available to them, and be recognized for their sacrifices.
The event opened up with posting of the colors from the local American Legion and with the drum group inviting keynote speaker Evangelo “Vann” Morris to take part in the beating of the drums. Afterwards, opening remarks were given by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure.
Healing Ceremony
During one of the most powerful moments of the gathering, local Native women and the drum group led the “Wiping of the Tears Ceremony.” The ceremony began with the drum group carrying a rhythm and singing while the Native women dipped tree branches into water. At the same time, attendees, Elders, and veterans, first formed a line.
Once the branches were dipped in water, one-by-one, each person stepped forward and the wet branches were brushed up and down the person – wiping away the tears and healing those grieving.
Resources and Assistance
Presentations came from the Veterans Health Administration about eligibility, enrollment, and travel, and from the Veterans Benefits Administration addressing compensation and pension. Additional topics from a wide range of groups covered caregiver support programs for elderly veterans, care in the community for veterans, mental health, suicide prevention or veterans’ crisis line, Native American direct loan programs, and telehealth. During breaks, Elders were able to take part in the resource fair and ask more personal questions to presenters.
In addition to seeking more information from presenters during breaks, veterans were able to enroll for benefits, obtain their Veterans Administration IDs, receive health check-ups if they wanted from the two medical teams outside the venue on buses, or learn about what their officials are doing for veterans. These activities, as well as the resource fair, were made available for both days of the conference.
Honoring Veterans Sacrifices
Later on, the Tribal Veteran Service Officer for Turtle Mountain, Richard Marcellais, made a few remarks and
updated veterans on programs available, what the local tribe is doing for veterans, and
provided an update about the honor flight – a trip provided, at no cost to veterans, to Washington, D.C.
After a full day of presentations and discussions, attendees were invited to eat, interact, and listen to the keynote speaker at dinner. As a U.S. Navy retired surface warfare officer and Afghanistan deployed combat veteran, Vann Morris spoke to attendees about his background, their sacrifices, the importance of veterans, and recited two passionate poems that he wrote about veterans and the U.S. flag.