Marine Corps veteran Mario Sanchez, 81, of San Jose, receives food items at the fourth annual Stand Down event at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Local, federal and state service providers were on site to assist veterans and their families. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
The County of Santa Clara Office of Veterans Services welcomed former and active veterans and their families to the fourth annual Stand Down two-day event at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose on Thursday and Friday. Along with breakfast and lunch, qualified veterans were offered employment assistance, a mobile dental clinic, VA healthcare services and groceries provided by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Zanotto’s Markets, Diestel Family Ranch, Safeway and area retailers.
Attendees visit booths at the fourth annual Stand Down event at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif., on Friday Nov. 6, 2026. Local, federal and state service providers were on site to assist veterans and their families. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
This year’s Stand Down brought back a “Claims Clinic” that helped veterans file claims for disability compensation, pensions and dependency, making it easier for veterans to get their claim confirmed on site by Department of Veterans Affairs staff.
“Bringing back the Claims Clinic this year will enable veterans and their families to file claims for the benefits they’ve earned and have them processed in a timely manner, and we hope veterans and their families take advantage of this opportunity” said Darlyn Escalante, director of the Veterans Services Office.
Marine Corps veteran Carlos Marquez, 24, of Gilroy, left, gets a free haircut from Army veteran and Urban Barber College student John Black at the fourth annual Stand Down event at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif., on Friday Nov. 6, 2026. Local, federal and state service providers were on site to assist veterans and their families. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Attendees visit booths at the fourth annual Stand Down event at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif., on Friday Nov. 6, 2026. Local, federal and state service providers were on site to assist veterans and their families. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)