June 17-18 Declared Navajo Nation Veterans Stand Down by President Ben Shelly

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Veterans
Stand Down

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA - Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has declared June 17 and 18 as "Navajo Nation Veterans Stand Down."

"We are calling on all Navajo Nation citizens to join us and volunteer to support our veterans at this event and throughout the year, " stated President Shelly. "The Shelly-Jim Administration is working hard to create the Navajo Division for Veterans Affairs and a Title 27 Navajo Nation Code that will focus on veterans' issues."

The Navajo Nation Department of Veterans Affairs (NNDVA) will be hosting the National Stand Down event at the Chinle Community Center on June 17 and 18. Preliminary ceremonies including a flag-raising and opening prayer will begin at 8:00 am each day.

"The main thing I want people to understand is that they need to give back or help any way they can to these warriors that served our country," David Nez, department manager for Navajo Nation Department of Veterans Affairs said.

The Stand Down event will provide basic medical exams, clothing, food, access to experts in veteran and family rights and benefits legal advice, counseling by traditional practitioners as well as western counseling. Mental health counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder will also be available.

posted June 17, 2011 4:14 pm et