Clarksville-Montgomery County and the surrounding communities are home to many veterans and there are also many organizations ready to step into action to serve those veterans. One such group is Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN).
OSDTN is a nonprofit organization which offers a long list of programs for veterans including financial assistance, VA benefits counseling, legal support, employment help, transitional housing, transportation, along with personal care items and basic needs.
Chief Executive Officer John Krenson said OSDTN began in 1993 as a crisis response and reaction to the large number of homeless veterans in the state. The organization started serving Clarksville-Montgomery County in 2013 on a part-time basis and opened a full-time office here in 2015.
Willie Celestine is a U.S. Army Veteran who retired from Fort Campbell and is now the Clarksville Office Manager for OSDTN. He said in its first year in Clarksville the organization helped close to 470 veterans and last year that number had grown to 986.
Along with their many services, OSDTN is partnering with the Veterans Upward Bound program at Austin Peay State University. Celestine said they will be able to help with educational needs for veterans thanks to an APSU grant.
“For those veterans who don’t retire but get out of the military with a plan, but are introduced to some of the hardships in life and they have nowhere to turn, that’s what we’re here for,” Celestine said.
Celestine added that veterans can turn to OSDTN and they will help them get back on their feet and continue their journey. OSDTN in Clarksville continues to host a number of employment fairs and donation drives for veterans.
OSDTN will once again be working with Visit Clarksville for the 2018 Welcome Home Veterans Celebration set for September at Beachaven Winery.
You’ll find the Clarksville Office of Operation Stand Down Tennessee at 400 Madison Street. They are open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday 1-4 p.m. Call 931-896-2184 or visit www.osdtn.org.