Photo By Capt. Francine St Laurent | Master Sgt. Kim Groat, 168th Medical Group aerospace medical technician, performs a...... read more read more
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — As part of a joint-force effort, Airmen from the 168th Air Refueling Wing Medical Group provided care for veterans at the 17th annual Veterans Stand Down in Fairbanks, Aug. 15, 2015.
The event, organized by community members and supported by businesses and agencies, is held annually at Pioneer Park Civic Center.
Twenty-one Airmen from the 168th Medical Group were part of a team providing services ranging from dental and eye exams to blood pressure and glucose testing, medical screenings and diabetic foot care.
The joint-force team included civilian health care professionals, soldiers stationed at Bassett Army Community Hospital and Airmen from the 354th Medical Group on Eielson Air Force Base. These volunteers said they were eager to give back.
Staff Sgt. Michael Muirhead, 1984th U.S. Army Hospital practical nurse and case manager at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center, works with veterans every day.
“I wanted to help and make sure some of our at-risk veterans came and got the stuff they needed,” Muirhead said. “The majority of the ones I was thinking about did come today and I was glad to see that.”
Airman 1st Class Alyssa Penagos, 354th Medical Group optometry technician, said she wanted to gain a better understanding of her community and meet local veterans.
Pfc. Adriana Zendejas, an optometry technician at Bassett Army Community Hospital, said helping veterans feels natural.
“I am always down to help people and some people here don’t get the benefits because they didn’t retire from the military,” Zendejas said. “They deserve these services.”
Following exams, veterans receive vouchers to visit physicians of their choice. The vouchers can be exchanged for up to $200 toward prescriptions and $400 for follow-up appointments such as dental cleanings.
Three-hundred eighty-five veterans attended the event. But the turnout was lower than previous years.
According to John Duncan at the Fairbanks Vet Center this is in part due to the new requirements for clothing to be issued to homeless veterans.
A Department of Defense program donates surplus military gear to veterans who are homeless or at-risk for becoming homeless, Duncan said. This gear can include sleeping bags, foam pads, jackets, fleece jackets, backpacks, duffel and laundry bags, hats and shirts.
Now, veterans must meet one of six criteria to meet that designation and receive gear, lowering this year’s turnout.
Despite this, the variety of services available is broad. Veterans can learn about breast cancer detection, meet with a chiropractor and enjoy two hot meals.
“If you really want to support vets, this is a great way to do it,” Muirhead said.
“It really doesn’t matter how little you think you might be able to contribute,” said Robert Anderson, a case manager at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center, Army veteran and volunteer. “You don’t have to be medical. There’s a lot of stuff here you can help with.”
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2015 16:00 |
| Story ID: | 176422 |
| Location: | EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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