MANKATO — Mark Harlan had plenty of reason to be at the StandDown for Veterans at the Alltel Center on Tuesday, an event where dozens of agencies serving veterans gather to answer questions and provide services.
Harlan is temporarily homeless, living at the Salvation Army shelter the past couple of weeks.
“I’ve been hooking up with agencies that can assist me.”
Formerly of Butterfield, Harlan got and lost several jobs in the past six months because of health issues, and most recently, after the head on his car engine cracked.
With no transportation and few assistance programs or job opportunities, Harlan came to Mankato.
He now has some housing assistance arranged and got help in lining up a new job at Buffalo Wild Wings, which he started Monday.
“The veterans services officer is trying to get me some funding to fix my car, so I’ll have some transportation again,” said Harlan, who served in the Army from 1980 to 1983, serving in Germany and at Fort Bragg.
“I’ve really been hitting the bricks trying to get back on track,” he said. “There are a lot of services in Mankato.”
Sue Sorenson, director of the regional Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, which sponsors the StandDown, said nearly 40 agencies were at the fourth annual event to help veterans.
The events, held around the state, are based on the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War, where troops returning from combat operation went to a secure base to get clean uniforms, eat hot meals, get medical care and take care of other needs.
Sorenson said that while agencies are available to help veterans, many of the approximately 300 veterans who attend are there to see friends.
“It’s about fellowship, everyone getting together,” Sorenson said.
Harlan agreed: “This is a great get-together for vets, not just the services but the camaraderie.”
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