By Kate Walters, American Red Cross

For the veterans who once stood for us, the American Red Cross stands with them — in warmth, in gratitude, in action.

At Weidner Field, veterans and active-duty service members from every generation gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 21, for the 27th Annual Colorado Springs Homeless Veterans Stand Down, where more than 60 community partners joined forces to bring hope, compassion and connection to those who have served.

Hosted by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, the event carries a name rooted in military history. During World War II, "stand down" meant a pause from combat, a chance for troops to rest and recover. Today, it means something similar for veterans facing hardship: a day to rest, reconnect and rebuild. The event connected participants to vital resources including medical care, haircuts, legal aid, hot meals, and essential gear for the cold months ahead.

Working shoulder to shoulder with local partners, American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteers helped provide that support by distributing more than 535 pieces of cold-weather gear to 89 veterans. The items included neck gaiters, beanies, gloves, socks, hand warmers, and ponchos — simple supplies that can mean the world to someone in need.  

"This is about letting veterans know they're not forgotten," said June Hasenbein, a longtime Red Cross volunteer and veteran herself. "We're here to listen, to connect and to remind them that they're still part of a community that cares."

Nearby, James Griffith, a retired Army chaplain who has volunteered with the Red Cross since 2012, reflected on the long journey many veterans face.   

"Some have simply hit hard times; others carry invisible wounds," Griffith said. "The longer someone lives on the street, the harder it becomes to start over. Events like this are about survival, but they also restore dignity and hope."

When Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade welcomed attendees, he set the tone for the day.

"Today is about action," Mobolade said. "In this city, we honor our veterans not just with words, but with compassion and commitment — by showing up."

And show up, they did. Service to Armed Forces-International Services Specialist Daniella Hermosillo and her team — Abbie Aylward, Noelle Bolanos-Weatherly, James and Nancy Griffith, June Hasenbein, Deanna Walker, and Barbara Corsbie — organized carpools, managed Red Cross logistics and distributed supplies donated through the generosity of the American people.

"Every hand-warmer, every hat, every pair of socks represents someone in the community who cares," Hermosillo said. "That generosity is what makes this work possible."

For many Red Cross volunteers, the Stand Down was deeply personal.

"My dad served and lost his life in Iraq," Bolanos-Weatherly said. "Being here brings me peace. It's a way to stay connected to him and to honor him by supporting other veterans who've sacrificed so much."

Noelle's words echoed the spirit of the day: healing through service, connection through compassion. Around her, veterans shared stories, accepted warm gear, and found understanding in the eyes of those who listened.  Colorado Springs hosts the only Stand Down in the state where active-duty service members from Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base personally escort veterans through each station. The gesture symbolically bridges service past and present, creating a space where mutual respect flows both ways.  

"It's powerful," Hermosillo said. "You see a veteran in civilian clothes walking beside someone in uniform. It's a reminder that their service never stopped mattering."  

"What these veterans need most is to be heard," she added. "The gear keeps them warm, but listening keeps them human."

As the final cups of coffee were poured and the last items shared, the spirit of the day lingered. In a city defined by its deep military roots, the event once again showed that Colorado Springs honors its heroes not only with words, but through action and compassion. And when the Red Cross and its volunteers stand beside veterans, they stand with the very best of Colorado Springs.

Learn more about how the Red Cross supports veterans and military families at https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/military-families.html