COEUR d’ALENE — Lyle Gessford and his unit were ordered to stand down twice during his two tours in Vietnam, where he served as an infantry commander and eventually a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army.

After being out in the field for months at a time, or having fought a particularly rough battle, the men would be ordered to stand down, a rare chance to be off duty. They would be treated to haircuts, new clothes and boots, and other services that boosted morale and allowed them to recharge.

There was one thing in particular that Gessford looked forward to the most when receiving stand-down orders.

“Hot food and cold beer,” Gessford recalled. “You don’t have that out in the bush.”

Saturday’s resource fair, hosted by North Idaho Veterans Stand Down at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, was not unlike the services Gessford and his fellow soldiers received in Vietnam.

A record 112 service providers were on hand to work with the over 500 area veterans who attended, with free services ranging from haircuts and dental work to legal advice and various veteran support programs.

“They take care of us,” Gessford said.

Many service providers were once active-duty military themselves.

Justin Rader, DDS, has volunteered dental services with NIVSD since 2010, following his time serving in the Army.

“I felt it was my duty (after serving),” Rader said.

NIVSD President Debbi Nadrchal explained that Saturday’s event is critical to filling gaps in service, particularly for the county’s estimated 2,000 homeless veterans.

“The veteran population is the most underserved population,” Nadrchal said. “Every service here is a need.”

The resource fair was funded entirely by donations.

NIVSD, a nonprofit, assists area veterans year-round: The group has helped veterans in need with about $10k in rent since October and distributes 5,000-7,000 pounds of food yearly with help from the Hayden Chamber of Commerce.

“My heart is with our veterans. They’re the reason we’re here and have a free country,” Nadrchal said. “Superheroes don’t wear capes — they wear dog tags.” 

    From left: Mitzi Cheldelin, Jim Gotcher and Hedda Campbell pet 5-year-old mustang Truly, a therapy horse with Embrace Equine Ministry that made an appearance at Saturday's North Idaho Veterans Stand Down resource fair.
  

    Hayden Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrea Fulks hands out bags of groceries at Saturday's North Idaho Veterans Stand Down resource fair.