Nassau Stand Down event for veterans set for Freeport Armory

Nassau County's veterans will be offered everything from food and clothes to information about housing and peer counseling on Tuesday at the Freeport Armory.

Veterans can attain the Stand Down services from the Nassau County Legislature and the county Veterans Service Agency in a drive-through event beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 1 p.m., Christopher Boyle, the legislature GOP majority's spokesman, said in a statement.

Camille Raia, president of the Bellmore Lions Club, was among approximately 100 volunteers who attended a kickoff event on Monday for the Stand Down. She helped fill giveaway bags.

"It was great to be out with so many members of the community giving back to the many veterans in Nassau who have fought for our freedom," she said. "We hope these packages we put together today will make their day just a little bit brighter."

Nassau County has approximately 43,255 veterans out of a population of nearly 1.4 million, according to the U.S. Census. Suffolk, which has about 61,090 veterans out of a population of nearly 1.5 million, according to the census, had no immediate comment on similar plans in the county.

Nassau Leg. Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore) in a statement said: "As we enter the holiday season, which can be a tough time for veterans, we encourage everyone to come down and take advantage of this great program tomorrow from 9am to 1pm."

Find out more information at nassaucountyny.gov.