The homeless veteran population in the U.S. is growing and suffering deeply–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually–and the Albuquerque Sathya Sai Baba Center decided to help them. “Love in action” is the practice of seeing divinity in all; veterans especially need it. Several members donated clothing, others knitted scarves, and three volunteered to participate in the Veterans Integration Center annual event, Standown–a military term meaning “removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their needs in a safe area.”

There are nearly 200,000 homeless veterans in the U.S. Some are living in cars or on the street. Others are in shelters. With the support of the Governor and the New Mexico Legislature, the New Mexico Department of Veterans is working with the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center (NMVIC) on a program to help homeless veterans to integrate back into the community. NMVIC was organizing a Standown for the second time, and three of our devotees took part.

On the first day of the two-day Standown (17–18 October 2008), over 300 homeless veterans crowded the converted motel site, moving among canopy-style booths. The second day, 200 more came. Several social services at the event provided medical, legal aid, housing, food, clothing, and employment support. Another area provided cosmetic care: haircuts and shaves.

The Albuquerque Sathya Sai Baba Center volunteers were there, serving food and distributing clothing. Following an in-take procedure, vets selected sites specific to their needs–legal aid, housing, ethnic-support programs, a small medical camp, and more. A hot lunch was served, and the vets were directed toward the clothing and toiletry distribution area. They went through shopping-center-like aisles with volunteer-guides helping them select underwear, sweats, pants, sweaters, toiletries, winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, sleeping bags, and rain ponchos.

One devotee states, “My own service in the Navy made this selfless service event especially poignant for me. The saying, ‘But for the grace of God, there go I’ was brought to mind several times during this project. Trying to put myself in the shoes of these veterans created heaviness in my heart and placed me in a solemn mood. Fortunately, the good cheer of the veterans themselves, with their jokes and antics, brought me out of my melancholy. Nearing the end of the event, we ran out of scarves to give the gents. To our surprise, one elderly man selected a frilly, feminine black scarf, tossed it around his neck, and did a little can-can jig for us! They were very happy.”

Another devotee comments, “My first thoughts were, ‘Oh Swami, thank you for allowing me to serve You here today. I am so blessed!’ As the long lunch line passed by, I felt compassion for those finding themselves in this predicament. Most of them thanked us directly for the food. It was encouraging to see that they were generally cheerful and upbeat.”

And another devotee observes, “All the veterans were polite, appreciative, and cheerful. Many sweetly said, ‘God bless you,’ as they left with their duffle bags full of clothing and toiletries. One lady veteran, Jo, took a long time selecting her clothing items, possibly enjoying our casual conversation. She even came back to ask for our help to repack her duffle bag.”

Afterward, the Veterans Integration Center invited the Albuquerque Sathya Sai Baba Center to be active partners in future activities. During the holiday season, devotees will be assembling toiletry bags of combs, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and brushes for veteran men, women, and families.