Tri-State Veterans Standown prepares to take over
<p>Members of the boy's ranch loaded and sorted pounds of potatoes for the Veterans Standown taking place this weekend.</p>
PLAINS - The Tri-State Veterans Standown will take over the fairgrounds this weekend, gearing up thousands of veterans with surplus gear, food and medical checkups.
Starting on Saturday at 8 a.m., the Standown will go until 4 p.m. both days.
The barns at the fairgrounds are packed to the brim with supplies for the veterans, donning everything from bed sheets to military boots.
Other services provided include chiropractic services and massages.
Organizer Billy Hill said there is close to 2.5 million dollars of supplies awaiting the veterans, giving back to those who have served our country.
The day will start off with the registration process as the veterans will be greeted by people who will evaluate them medically, collecting data which helps the Veterans Affairs decide where to put in more effort to better serve the veterans of this area.
Afterwards, the line will curve through the three barns and the veterans will make their way through “shopping” as they go, being thanked for their service at each table they receive goods from.
Breakfast is provided for free as well as a lunch/dinner of spaghetti or stew.
This year the Standown will be utilizing the kitchen at the fairgrounds and plans to host the veterans outside for their meal due to some complications in securing an indoor place for them to eat.
Food sacks will also be provided for the taking, with potatoes and goods to feed the veterans.
Those interested in attending the Standown need to bring their DD-214, Discharge, VA or Military identification to prove their veteran status.
“It’s absolutely free to the veterans, every bit of it, 100 percent free,” said Hill in an earlier interview.