READING, Pa. – The Army Reserve 326th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) kicked off a military veterans stand down event at GoggleWorks in Reading, Pa., on March 6.
The 326th MPAD coordinated with numerous veterans organizations to help provide food, clothing, medical aid and barber services to displaced veterans in the Berks County community.
Local veterans organizations, including Second Brigade Motorcycle Club and Veterans Making a Difference, provided warm meals and winter coats for those in need.
Event speakers included state Sen. Judy Schwank, Army Reserve Ambassador George H. Duell, and Maj. Mary L. Olodun, the 326th MPAD commander.
“The task is very difficult, but not impossible,” said Olodun. “It is sometimes the only way to get the job done to stay engaged with the community.”
Olodun has participated in previous veterans events throughout the area, and after working with several veterans organizations, she was inspired to lead her unit in the first stand down in Berks County led by an Army Reserve unit.
Ambassador Duell explained community outreach efforts like this “give Army Reservists an opportunity to make a contribution to the American people not only times of war, but also in times of peace.”
Schwank echoed Duell’s sentiment, saying that in the past she has worked with Veterans Making a Difference by making sandwiches for previous stand downs.
“It’s important because these veterans in need are our constituents, neighbors, citizens,” said Schwank, “and we owe it to them.”
This military stand down will last until March 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily in the GoggleWorks parking lot located on Cherry Street.