It’s not very often that representatives from the Veterans Administration make themselves available in Nevada County for the population of United States veterans that reside here. But that happened yesterday during the inaugural Nevada County Veterans Health & Wellness Faire organized by the Nevada County Veteran’s Service Office and Veterans’ Service Officer David West. “I think today was a good day,” West said during the event.
“Saw a lot of new faces.” West mentioned that changes in legislation over the past two years have increased the benefits available to veterans and wanted to make sure that Thursday’s event provided as much exposure for veterans to those services as possible. “Having all of those partners and agencies in one room.
My office can only do so much,” West said. The Veterans Administration’s hospital administration, benefits, cemetery and eligibility and enrollment departments were all on hand to help vets in Nevada County during the event. Representatives from Food Bank of Nevada County, Listos California Cal OES, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rec 4 Vets, Guitars for Vets, Comfort Keepers, Vet Boats, Citrus Heights Vet Center, Ready Nevada County, Welcome Home Vets, New Dawn luxury rehab centers, Hospice of the Foothills, and the Nevada County Library were some of those on hand to offer their services during the Veterans Health and Wellness Faire.
“It’s very important, especially with 22 veterans a day taking their lives,” Ed Sanchez of Vet Boats said regarding the event and his organizations’ efforts to get veterans out doing positive things with other vets. Sanchez had about 30 veterans stop by his booth during the event to express their interest. “We call it healing through camaraderie,” Sanchez said.
“Just by taking some folks out. That there’s some magic that happens when they get out on the open water. Get them outside and maybe offer them some advice on how to get out of that funk, because we’ve all been there.
” Sanchez said that currently his group is in the process of restoring a 65 foot sail boat with plans to sail it to Hawaii with a group of veterans. Thursday’s inaugural Health & Wellness Faire was well attended with free hotdogs and hamburgers served during the event..
