In military terms, a “stand-down” is an order given to bring soldiers on the front lines back to a safe zone to refit, rearm and grab a hot meal and a shower.

    The Veteran Stand-down at the Centralia Armory Friday had a bit of a twist: homeless war veterans were invited to refit and rearm themselves utilizing a variety of community services.

    Mike Shelton, who said he was an Army veteran from 1978-81, came in to get a haircut, load up with some clothing essentials and find himself a job.

    “So far it’s terrific,” he said between a bombardment of community volunteers offering him free services. “I didn’t expect all this. But what I’ve found is that this is an open-armed community like it’s always been.”

    Attendance was an “ongoing trickle” at about 10 a.m., but more would come during a job fair at the same spot later in the day.

    WorkSource veterans employment representative Mike Hester detailed a success story from last year when a homeless veteran got a job at Cardinal Glass, reconnected with his family and earned a decent living. Workers from the Lewis County Shelter Program said that man later moved up to an even better job.

    Homeless veterans also had the opportunity to get flu shots, obtain references for health and mental screening regardless of insurance, and apply with more than 15 local employers.

    Hester said a $3,000 grant from the shelter program enabled them to offer the services to all homeless who came by, even without veteran status.

    “We don’t want to turn anyone away,” Hester said. “We want to get them connected to employment and the rest of society.”

Hundreds Show for Job Fair

    The trickle turned into wave at about 1 p.m. when hundreds of people showed up for Lewis County WorkSource’s job fair.

    “I’m so excited about the turnout,” said WorkSource’s Brenda O’Connor. “Last year we had 400 people, and it should be comparable this year.”

    Many job seekers came from outside the county.

    Castle Rock resident Randy Pake has been looking for work since he was laid off from Woodinville Lumber in Longview when the housing market dried up.

    He said an opportunity to meet employers directly was something he wasn’t going to pass on and that he was confident he’d find work again.

    “I’m positive I’ll get another job,” Pake said. “I just don’t know how long it will take.”

    About 15 employers attended this year’s job fair, down from the nearly 30 from last year, Hester said.

    “Many have said they don’t have enough staff to cover their offices while they were gone, and some just didn’t have any openings,” Hester said.

    Some of the employers and recruiters in attendance admitted to having not enough jobs available to match the swell of job seekers.

    “There were many highly qualified applicants, it’s just about finding the jobs,” said Peter Lahmann, apprenticeship coordinator for the Labors Union. “Two years ago, it would have been different.”

    He said being persistent and finding ways to improve would help those who are still looking to get back to work.

    “Upgrade your skills, be a better quality candidate when things turn around, because things will turn around,” Lahmann said.