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Veterans can get help at annual Stand Down WHITE CITY -- Stand Down '99 for down-and-out veterans begins this morning. The three-day annual event, held at the baseball diamond at the Department of Veterans Affairs Domiciliary, is organized by volunteers to help homeless veterans in Southern Oregon and Northern California. It will offer the veterans food, clothing, medical attention, legal help, shelter, jobs and counseling. "Stand down" is military jargon for a respite from a hostile environment. The event has been held locally each fall since 1992. About 630 homeless veterans attended the session last year. Veterans are expected from as far as northern Oregon and Northern California this year. The Oregon Army National Guard is donating the tents and the domiciliary is donating the space for the tent city. However, the volunteer group that organizes the event incurs expenses for transportation, communications, food, clothing, supplies and other necessities required to help the veterans. The event costs about $13,000, all of which is raised through donations. Those wishing to help financially can donate by contributing to any branch of U.S. Bank of Oregon, where a fund for the Stand Down has been established. Checks should be made out to Southern Oregon Stand Down. Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute goods or services should contact Madeleine Fabris at 899-1935. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA