Some 23 social service agencies from all sectors were there. Doctors, attorneys, foot and eye specialists, the Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD, the Tennessee Department of the Military, local homeless and transitional housing providers, rehab and supportive housing advocates were there - many indirectly funded by HUD's homeless grants.

Nashville Field Office Director, William Dirl assists a veteran with housing questions.

That's just a handful of the providers that came together again for Nashville's Operation Stand Down (www.osdnashville.org/), held this year on October 13-15, 2006 at Tennessee's National Guard Armory in Nashville. Many of the veterans are homeless or in transition to permanent housing such as public housing rental units or privately-owned assisted housing rentals with rental assistance supported by HUD funding.

"They didn't know HUD provided assistance to privately-owned apartments. Most everyone knew about public housing. In fact, many thought HUD was the local public housing agency," said Terry Livingston, HUD-Nashville Operations Analyst.

Annually, different social service agencies volunteer their time to work with any vet that needs assistance.

"This is a common misperception all across the country. We tell them about how to apply for public housing, but the application process in most areas is backed up for years and the public housing offices rarely accept new applications, so we give them the lists of our local privately-owned apartments and tax-credit financed apartments as an option."

Regardless, veterans are given rental options, even though they must prove income. Many of the male and female veterans have lost all hope or desire for one reason or another. Operation Stand Down gives them a temporary "pass" from their personal problems. They get a warm location and bedding with three hot meals a day, medical and dental assistance, employment opportunities, classy entertainment, VA counseling, camaraderie, and of course: Hope. For those who can't qualify for government-assisted housing programs, local non-profits in the area step up to the plate and provide transitional and supportive housing.

An example of some of the fine entertainment at Operation Stand Down.

Mainstay services from local, state and federal government are assisting with many who depend on basic help, but to fight chronic homelessness, an individual's stability is part of the equation. Why help someone temporarily just to send them back out on the street? If they can obtain real help that actually provides the uplift they need, then maybe they won't have to return back into supportive assistance programs time and time again. HUD and many other federal, state and local agencies are fighting the problem through the Interagency Council on Homelessness (www.ich.gov/). This invigorating national approach is working in cities, counties, and states with support from mayors, governors, and of course, the President. The strategy to develop these "Ten Year Plans" (www.ich.gov/slocal/index.html) requests local homeless advocates to come together to create a constructive approach to fight chronic homelessness in their communities.

With the bulk of media attention being placed on other issues, Operation Stand Down makes one want to "Stand Up". It makes you want to stand up for the needs of our fellow Americans, especially our Veterans.