CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Operation Stand Down Tennessee supports some of the most important members of our community, our military veterans.
OSDTN began their work in Tennessee in 1993 as a crisis response group reacting to the problem of 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.
CEO retired Air Force Gen. Eden Murrie, said OSDTN engages, equips and empowers veterans wherever they are in their life. Murrie described what they do for veterans this way.
“If you’re just transitioning out, we’ve got something for you, if you’re struggling to do something, to find something, and need some help, we’ve got something for you, want to find that perfect job, we can help you do that,” Murrie said.
Murrie said they work with programs they have set up along three lines of effort and service, which OSDTN calls its three C’s. They are Connection, Career Transition, and Crisis.
Connection is to help veterans make connections with other veterans, connections with the community and volunteer opportunities as well as connections with veteran business owners to serve as mentors. Connection with the Veterans Administration is also important to receive the benefits you’ve earned.
Career transition involves the OSDTN career transition team that works with employers across Middle Tennessee. There are two parts to the career transition which is the Veteran Fellowship Program and the Veteran Mentorship Program to make it easier when moving into a new job or starting a career.
Crisis is something that can strike, and veterans find themselves needing help. There’s help for food insecurity with Operation Commissary and delivering food to veterans, there’s also housing support with the Transitional Housing Program.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Murrie said OSDTN never closed its doors for service to veterans. There were staff reductions in the buildings with staggered hours and remote working. Murrie added that the pandemic expanded the organization’s reach to keep in touch with veterans virtually to provide services.
You’ll find Operation Stand Down Tennessee at 115 N 3rd St. in downtown Clarksville, and they are open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Get more information by visiting osdtn.org, go to facebook or Instagram, email info@osdtn.org, or call 931-896-2184.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.