Beaumont Hosts Final Southeast Texas Stand Down for Veterans

Article by: Wyatt Winters

BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Civic Center served as the venue for the final Southeast Texas Stand Down of the year, an event aimed at providing essential services to homeless veterans, their families, and the broader community. The event, which opened its doors at 9 a.m., offered a range of resources including free clothing, housing and shelter information, and complimentary haircuts courtesy of Sports Clips.

Over seventy booths and vendors from across Southeast Texas filled the Civic Center, eager to assist veterans with various services such as medical screenings, SNAP benefits, and VA claim guidance.

“These Stand Down events are a resource for veterans and the community at large,” said Damian Bennett, President of Southeast Texas Veterans 4 Veterans. “We organize these events to bring these people together. It's all about information. If we don’t have the answer, we know someone who does.”

Bennett, a twenty-year Army veteran, emphasized the importance of veterans understanding and navigating the complex Veterans Affairs (VA) system. He expressed his commitment to helping veterans access the benefits they deserve. “I know the system and the games they play,” Bennett said. “The system is set up for failure, and I’m here to correct that.”

Bennett also stressed that while resources and advice were available, veterans themselves must take action to benefit from the information provided. “I can offer resources, advice, and suggestions till I’m blue in the face , but it’s up to the individual to act on that information. I can’t do it for them.”

The Stand Down concluded at 1 p.m. with a free lunch provided by Chick-fil-A, accompanied by live music, rounding off a day dedicated to honoring and assisting local veterans.