BELLEVUE — Almost 200 veterans, some homeless, turned out Friday at the Bellevue Veterans Club for Stand Down 2001 and to meet former Miss America Heather French Henry.

        Ms. Henry spoke to every veteran who approached, one by one. Some had her sign autographs on pieces of cardboard and napkins, or whatever they had.

Navy veterans Larry Hinkle (left) and Chad Stidham collect autographs from Heather French Henry Friday at Stand Down 2001 at the Bellevue Veterans Club. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        “I always make sure to ask their name,” Ms. Henry said.

        Ms. Henry, a Kentucky native, made veterans' struggles her banner issue during her reign. She said she has been to more than 75 Stand Down programs across the nation.

        Stand Downs bring together local government and community agencies to provide homeless veterans with food, clothing, health screenings, counseling and preliminary job placement interviews.

        The first Stand Down was 13 years ago in San Diego, where it is now a three-day event. Friday's was the first in Northern Kentucky.

        Ms. Henry said in her speech that Sept. 11 events have helped shine additional light on veterans' needs, and the first Stand Down Northern Kentucky is proof of that.

        “People in your area recognize that you are special,” she said.

        Ms. Henry said there are roughly 5,000 homeless veterans in Kentucky, and 275,000 homeless veterans nationwide.

VETERAN ACT

The Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act will:     • Add $50 million a year for the next five years to Department of Veterans Affairs homeless programs.     • Fund outreach programs to keep at-risk veterans from ever becoming homeless, including using VA buildings to house homeless veterans.     • Fund dental care, counseling, and job placement programs.     The act is awaiting President Bush's signature. The bill unanimously passed the House Tuesday after passing the Senate.     In 10 years, it's possible no veterans will be homeless, Ms. French Henry said, because most homeless veterans are better educated than many other people who end up homeless.     Also, issues such as post traumatic stress disorder can often be dealt with successfully through counseling and psychological services, she said.

        One of the local agencies with a homeless veterans program is Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, in place since 1993 with 12 full-time employees doing outreach. Three are in Northern Kentucky, said Darnell Cunningham, special projects director for Ohio Valley Goodwill.

        Ms. Henry pointed out Mr. Cunningham as “a possibility of what can happen which is good” because he is a Navy veteran who once was homeless.

        The Joseph House residential facility, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans Affairs are also longtime supporters of veterans in need.

        Larry Hinkle, a resident of Joseph House in Cincinnati, said it's an honor to have someone of Ms. Henry's caliber concerned about veterans. He says the VA helped him get over a 20-year cocaine addiction that led to homelessness.

        Now he said he is looking forward to taking a job in a few months.

        “They saved my life,” Mr. Hinkle said.

        Some Stand Downs even offer on-site legal advice and amnesty for those who might owe back child support or have misdemeanor warrants. Other homeless men and women often show up at the Stand Downs, and they are still helped with food and clothing and referred to appropriate services for most other needs, Ms. French Henry said.

        Ms. French Henry said she tries to show veterans that young people who aren't veterans care about what happens to them.

        “Make sure you don't just get food and clothes, but get the help on how to better your life,” Ms. Henry said.

        The most important starting point with any homeless veteran, said Mr. Cunningham, was self respect.

        “Some of our veterans are very sensitive about their state and we have to be respectful,” he said.

        After Ms. Henry signed an autograph on a bent piece of cardboard for Chad Stidham, a 29-year-old Navy veteran and asked how he was, the Joseph House resident hugged her.

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