For vets, a place for hope
TRACY SCUDDER Kent County Daily Times.
West Warwick, RI.: Oct 26, 2006.

WEST WARWICK - Part two of Operation Stand Down's dream in West Warwick came true yesterday.

Last year, Operation Stand Down opened veterans housing at 790 Providence St. Yesterday, members cut the ribbon on a new training center located behind the home.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that helps disabled and homeless veterans. Tony DeQuattro, president of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, said the organization was developed in 1993 and saw a need for veterans to have permanent housing.

"We also saw that the need for housing was just one component," said DeQuattro. He said the veterans also needed training so they could obtain jobs and become a part of society. "It took us a long time to get here, but we are here," said DeQuattro as he stood in the new training facility.

Rep. James Langevin attended the ceremony. He said it is important that the country doesn't forget about the promises it made to the veterans. Langevin said statistics show that 5.8 percent of veterans live in poverty and 200,000 veterans are homeless throughout the country on any given night. "Those statistics show that this country isn't living up to the promises made to the veterans," said Langevin. "We need to honor them for their service and sacrifice.

DeQuattro introduced Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and said he was one of the few politicians that attended every Operation Stand Down event.

Fogarty described the new training center as a sign to veterans that Rhode Island has not forgotten them. He said Operation Stand Down sends a message to those soldiers that are currently serving.

"It's a sign to them that when their service is complete we will be here for them," said Fogarty.

"We understand the debt we owe to you," he said. "It is a debt we will not be able to repay in many lifetimes."

Sen. Stephen D. Alves (D-9) said he remembers, less than two years ago, standing in the parlor of the Providence Street home when the dream started.

"I'm extremely pleased to see where it has come and where we are today," he said. Alves also thanked Councilman Leo J. Costantino (R-Ward 4) for his commitment to the project.

Alves described Costantino as the town council advocate for both Thundermist and Operation Stand Down.

Costantino is a veteran. As a Marine he served in Vietnam. "This center is very important to me because I feel it on a personal level," he said. "I couldn't be more proud to have a facility like this in West Warwick." Costantino said the training center can be a place where veterans can organize their lives and help them move forward.