Stand Down on the Delta 2015 attracts over 300 veterans, served by many volunteers

Veterans relax on Sunday afternoon at the County Fairgrounds during Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

Veterans relax on Sunday afternoon at the County Fairgrounds during Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

By Allen Payton

Organized by the Delta Veterans Group, led by the group’s President, J.R. Wilson, the Stand Down on the Delta 2015, the first ever of its kind in the county, was held this weekend at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch and attracted more than 300 veterans, seeking services, meals and a place to sleep, as well as a variety of volunteers, to help meet those needs. Many of the veterans are homeless and came from throughout the East Bay to attend.

Veterans watch a movie at Stand Down on the Delta.

Veterans enjoy watching a movie at Stand Down on the Delta.

A variety of organizations sponsored the event which started Friday and ends Monday, including Antioch’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6435, and their Ladies Auxiliary, Strategic Threat Management and Delta Tactical Training Group, Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation, AT&T and the Veterans Employment Committee, and was promoted in part by the Antioch Herald.

Tent city at Stand Down on the Delta.

Tent city at Stand Down on the Delta.

A variety of government agencies and organizations provided services throughout the weekend, including the DMV, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services, Veterans Service Office, Adult and Aging Services, and Employment Development Department, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Employment and Human Services,  CalFresh/CalWORKs, Congressman Jerry McNerney, Assemblyman Jim Frazier, Los Medanos College, Cal State East Bay, Swords to Plowshares, Bay Area Legal Aid, Independent Living Resources, Shelter, Inc., Berkeley Food and Housing, Republic Services, Narcotics Anonymous and Catholic Charities of Solano County.

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta.

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta.

The veterans who attended were also treated to a variety of musical entertainment, including Wallee, Dixieland Welcome Band, Darlyn Pearl, Los Cavrones, The Illusions, Blue Hand Band, The O’Town Pasions, Galaxy Travis Air Force Base Band, Double Down, Entropy and Ethics, Billy Schaub, Tucker and Friends, Fleet Street Classics and Swamp Lizards.

One of the wellness tents where veterans received massage therapy and chiropractic treatments, at Stand Down on the Delta.

One of the wellness tents where veterans received therapy and chiropractic treatments, at Stand Down on the Delta.

A donation of $500 allowed for the purchase fishing equipment, giving a group of veterans the chance to do some fishing at Antioch’s Compy Compomizzo Fishing Pier in downtown. The veterans in attendance also had the opportunity to play video games in the Mobile Command Gaming truck.

Clothing was donated

Clothing was donated for the veterans at Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

Members of local service organizations, such as the Antioch Rotary Club, as well as Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, Councilwoman Monica Wilson, who is on the Board of Directors for the Delta Veterans Group, and Councilman Tony Tiscareno volunteered to serve meals to the veterans throughout the weekend.

The Chaplains tent at Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

The Chaplains tent at Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

For more information visit www.DeltaVeteransGroup.org and to “like” and follow them on Facebook, click here.


the attachments to this post:


The Chaplains tent


Clothing was donated for the veterans


One of the wellness tents at Stand Down


Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down


Tent city at Stand Down on the Delta


Veterans watch a movie at Stand Down


Veterans relax at fairgounds


4 Comments to “Stand Down on the Delta 2015 attracts over 300 veterans, served by many volunteers”

  1. Darlyn Pearl says:

    Over 60 musicians performed quality music for our veterans at the Stand Down from sun up to well into the night for 3 nights.
    Music ranged from jazz to blues, country and rock to classics and beyond. Veterans gave standing ovations to the fellow veterans and civilian musicians who performed. A huge “Thank you…” to those who dedicated their time and talent for this wonderful event!

  2. Arne says:

    This was outstanding event for our veterans. The organizers and volunteers are to be commended for all they did to make this a great event!!

    Master Chief Petty Officer, USN-Retired

  3. Kornelia Strong says:

    Wow! What a great article and pictures! Thank you Allen for the write up. As it stands, our local newspaper did the best story. It was my pleasure to give countless of haircuts and beard trims on 9/11 and some on 9/12. Seldom have I encountered a group so appreciative. Kelly and Jonah (our grandson) worked the faith tent and found great meaning in their mission to help spread the word of God. The entire event was a meaningful experience for our family, and we look forward to the next Stand Down, maybe in Dixon, giving our vets a hand up until there is no more homeless veterans. . . .

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