Harbor Care Hosts Annual NH Veteran Stand Down on Sept. 18 in Manchester
The 22nd annual NH Veteran Stand Down will take place on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eversource Energy Park in Manchester. The free event includes more than 50 organizations who will offer services and support to veterans and their military families. All veterans who attend will receive a free lunch as well. with services and support.
The NH Veteran Stand Down is modeled after the military tradition of a “stand down,” when troops could pause from duty to rest, receive supplies and connect with essential support before returning to their mission. This event carries that tradition forward by creating a welcoming place where veterans can get answers, meet directly with providers and connect with fellow service members.
The event is organized by Harbor Care, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and presenting sponsor Eversource. The idea behind Stand Down is to bring veteran-serving organizations, government agencies, community and non-profit groups and businesses together in one location, making it easier for veterans and their families to find the help they need.
Services available include employment assistance, medical and behavioral healthcare, housing support, VA benefits and claims assistance, food and clothing, legal and financial resources and more. Community partners who participate are honoring a longstanding commitment to all veterans and in particular, those experiencing homelessness (or those at risk of becoming homeless).
Businesses can also support the event through sponsorship. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available at www.harborcarenh.org/stand-down.
“Military veterans have selflessly sacrificed on behalf of us all and are invaluable members of our communities. They make up a significant part of Eversource’s workforce because the experience, dedication and skills they bring to the job make our teams stronger — as they do for countless businesses and organizations across the state,” said Bob Coates, Eversource’s president of NH Electric Operations. “We’re thrilled to once again host Harbor Care’s Stand Down and welcome veterans to Energy Park to get the services and support they need — and have earned through their dedicated service — for their journey forward.”
New Hampshire is home to 81,000 veterans. This September event will also highlight progress toward ending veteran homelessness in Manchester, an initiative announced by Mayor Jay Ruais at the 2024 NH Veteran Stand Down.
For more information, including details about sponsorships and partnerships, visit www.harborcarenh.org/stand-down or email standdown@harborcarenh.org.