Please note: this message is from 2012, the year of the first Upstate Stand Down.
June 22, 2012
Dear Community Leader,
Through my decades of military service, I have developed a lifelong passion and commitment to the banner and purpose of our nation’s military service. Now, it is my honor and privilege to announce the first Upstate Stand Down event to engage and empower homeless veterans (including thos veterans at risk for homelessness) and their families. The event is planned for this upcoming fall and has a goal of addressing unmet needs of these veterans located in the Upstate region of Spartanburg, Greenville, Cherokee and Union Counties.
Veterans comprise a disproportionate amount of the nation’s homeless population. While homelessness for anyone is a tragedy, the fact that a significant amount of the homeless are American soldiers who served their country, many in combat, is particularly troubling. Will you join me helping those who have faithfully served our nation? Will you lend a hand to let them know their service is not forgotten and that the freedom you and I enjoy today is because of their sacrifices?