MARTINSBURG, WV - Dozens of homeless veterans from the Four-State region gathered Saturday at the VA Medical Center to take advantage of free medical assistance and other services.

The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg is trying to alleviate some of that needs of area veterans in the first ever “Herohaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down.”

Veterans could receive various services such as a health screening, including flu shots and physical exams, and mental health screening for issues like post-traumatic stress disorder.

Preston Brown, a veteran said, “Oh this is a blessing because I haven't seen a dentist in awhile, so I got my teeth.”

Vets took home clean clothes, coats, sleeping bags, and shoes.  Some of them walked out after meeting with organizations that will help them find a place to live and a job.

About 75 veterans took advantage of these services.  Many of them were bused in from cities like Hagerstown, Chambersburg, and even as far as Winchester, VA and Cumberland, MD.

No one was left without a hot meal and a little entertainment.

Michelle Cook, the coordinator of the stand down, said, “We just thought it was a good time.  A lot of times this time of year a lot of people are in a giving mode, and we just thought it went well with the season that we're in.”

Sgt. Lionel Robinson said, “They didn't forget us.  That's the main thing.  The nation didn't forget us.”

Stand downs have been done in the past at other VA medical centers around the country.

The Veteran's Administration estimates it costs about $3,000 to hold a one-day stand down.