Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses, sponsored the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans on Thursday in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services during the event. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Ivan Camis cuts Jerry Peters’ hair Thursday during the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and other services during the event sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Harlene Russell, suicide prevention coordinator with Southern Ute Community Action Programs, talks with a veteran Thursday during the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services during the event sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Harold Geer, right, a Gold Star Father, talks Thursday afternoon with veteran John Ogle about the 1968 Dodge Charger that belonged to his late son, George Geer, who served in the U.S. Army and died in 2005 in Iraq. They were at the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Harold Geer, a Gold Star Father, brought a 1968 Dodge Charger that belonged to his late son, George Geer, who served in the U.S. Army and died in 2005 in Iraq, to the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services during the event sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans and Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses, sponsored the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans on Thursday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Veteran Bob Lyle brought his therapy dog, Kiana, to the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event on Thursday in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Veteran Bob Lyle brought his therapy dog, Kiana, to the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event on Thursday in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses, sponsored the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans on Thursday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Volunteer Roxann Gallegos hands a meal to veteran David Drake on Thursday during the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event held in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services during the event sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Kellie Paxton, left, and Marilyn Paxton, both with Nip n’Tuck Upholstery, made 210 hygiene and non-perishable food bags to hand out during the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Kellie Paxton, left, and Marilyn Paxton, both with Nip n’Tuck Upholstery, made 210 hygiene and non-perishable food bags to hand out during the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with local organizations and businesses, sponsored the annual Southwest Colorado Stand Down for Veterans event Thursday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Veterans had access to counseling, a free meal, acupuncture and many other services. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald