Hundreds of homeless veterans gathered at San Diego High School's athletic field this weekend to get help from volunteers and community groups.
Stand Down San Diego is a three-day event providing medical care, shelter, counseling, food and clothing to homeless veterans and their families.
Mike Charters is a Vietnam War vet. He has been volunteering at "Stand Down" for ten years. Charters says many former participants return to the event to help fellow veterans get back on their feet.
Charters: Our goal here is to not have to do Stand Down at some point. There won't be any more homeless vets, we hope.
Event Coordinator Darcy Pavich has seen an increase in the number of young homeless veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Pavich: We're seeing a rise in these young people faster than we did in any other era. It is the war. But it's also the economy.
She says Stand Down is working with the government to provide young veterans with the necessary help before they become homeless.
