Auburn VFW Post 1741 was a sponsor of the Veteran’s Stand Down at Green River Community College on June 8.

Veterans can receive medical and dental checkups, clothing, haircuts, food and other living essentials at a stand down.

According to Anneleen Severynen, MN, RN,, PHN, Seattle & King County Public Health, the event likely saved the life of one veteran.

Public Health nurse volunteers screened a veteran for blood pressure and found one to be very high. She referred him over to the South King County mobile medical van team that collaborated with HealthPoint and the Health Department.

“He was a Vietnam era vet … not accessing any of his benefits, no health care, and he was pretty close to having a heart attack,” Severynen said. “Our doctor walked him over to the VA doctor and social worker and stayed with him while folks figured out that he was not yet connected for VA benefits. The VA social worker helped him initiate VA benefits, but we knew this would take too long for the immediate care he needed.

“The HealthPoint benefits worker made him an appointment at HealthPoint,” she said. “This stand down and coordination between the volunteer Public Health nurses, the Health Department, HealthPoint, the VA doctor and social worker likely saved this guy’s life.”

VFW Post 1741 and its members work in the Auburn community to bring service to veterans in need. Interested qualified veterans can contact Post 1741 at 253-293-5839 or vfw1741@gmail.com.