The line at this year’s Stand Down winds out the door of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and dwon the walk to the corner of Fifth Street and Kennedy Avenue.

Celina Kirnberger, left cuts Edward Ballenger’s hair while Amanda Ambers, right snips John Otten’s during Friday’s Stand Down at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1425 N. Fifth St. The free haircuts were just one of a number of services available to veterans and other at-risk adults at the event. Although both women are licensed cosmotologists, they are employed by Mesa County in much different professions. Both men are veterans and were working at the Stand Down; Ballenger was there with the Veterans Administratiion, and Otten was a volunteer.

Volunteer and veteran Maverick Collins chats with podiatry nurse Susan McChesney from the Veterans Administration Medical Center as she trims his toenails during Friday’s Stand Down at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1425 N. Fifth St. Veterans were also able to get flu shots, have their blood pressure checked and have their teeth examined among the numerous services offered at the event.

A variety of information booths and item giveaways lined tables in the fellowship hall of the church.

Outside the church, veterans were able to “shop” for free clothing, sleeping bags, shoes and other Department of Defense surplus items.

Veterans and other homeless were given warm clothes, coats, hats, and boots in anticipation of the winter months at the annual Veterans Stand-down Friday morning.