MADISON, Wis. — As Ravina Horner sorted through a fresh pile of donated clothing at Madison’s Salvation Army, she had homeless veterans on her mind.

“It’s something simple we can do,” Ravina Horner said. “They came back all by themselves. And not recognized.”

Ravinia Horner was referring to U.S. veterans who returned after serving during the Vietnam War. Her husband was one of them.

It’s why Ravinia Horner collects clothing to give to veterans in need.

“There’s men’s clothing, women’s clothing, and kids’ clothes, because it doesn’t just affect the veterans themselves, sometimes it’s their whole family,” she said.

Ravina Horner does this to honor her late husband, Wayne Horner.

“I’m just so proud of him,” she said. “Proud of what he did, how he handled it, and how he loved us.”

(Spectrum News 1/Kathryn Larson)

Wayne Horner was a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly referred to as “Green Berets.” He was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery in Vietnam. He returned from war and worked for decades as Dane County’s Veterans Service Officer.

“He saw the need, and that was his mission, to help get homeless veterans off the streets,” Ravinia Horner said.

But Wayne Horner was unable to see his mission through. He died from lung cancer, caused by Agent Orange exposure.

Ravinia Horner, along with some of Horner’s friends and fellow veterans, created an annual event in his honor. It’s called Stand Down Madison.

“Unfortunately, he did not get to see this Stand Down happen,” Ravina Horner said.

'Not a hand out, but a hand up'

“Right, we need more coffee,” said Jim Blankenheim, a Vietnam War veteran, as he checked on kitchen prep work going on for this year’s Stand Down Madison.

This year’s event will be held Oct. 21 at the Madison Salvation Army, 303 Darbo Drive.

Blankenheim is among a group of combat veterans who first found a way to make the “Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down Madison” happen. They’ve kept it going strong for more than 30 years.

“The definition of a ‘stand down’ really is, in the military, when you come in off an operation, you get your medical, take care of your dental, take care of your equipment, everything that you need,” said Blankenheim. “So, you can go out again on your next operation.”

It’s the reason the self-proclaimed ‘coffee sergeant' takes his volunteer post so seriously.

“The purpose of the stand down is to get you started, ready to go out into life itself,” Blankenheim said.

He said he saw firsthand how life was not easy for returning service members, especially those from the Vietnam era.

“Nobody had time for us,” he said. “Nobody. So, a lot of us turned to drugs and alcohol, and everything else because it was depressing. We had a lot of guys who lost their homes and ended up on the streets.”

Blankenheim said he sees how Stand Down Madison changes lives with holistic physical and mental care, as well as donations of clothing and other resources.

High-tech stand down

“Click the link,” said Angie Nickels, president of Stand Down Madison, as she tried out some new QR codes. “This is a way to reach veterans in need and get the volunteers more engaged.” 

Volunteer numbers for this year’s Stand Down event remain low. Each veteran is paired with a volunteer to experience the event together and help promote connectedness. They share a meal together, have the chance to explore a resource fair with medical care and get a free haircut.

“It’s those buddies that catch those lost or slipping through the crack veterans that, thank goodness they got here. Now let’s really find out what they need going forward,” Nickels said.

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs shows in 2022, over 300 veterans experienced homelessness in the state.

Nickels said volunteers do not need to have any background working with veterans or any military experience. They just need to be willing to listen and help.

Celebrating 30 years

Ravina Horner said she is so thankful for Blankenheim, Nickels and the rest of the organizers and volunteers who help make the event happen in honor of her husband Wayne.

She said to have an event run successfully for more than three decades is a huge accomplishment.

“I appreciate all you did, and do,” Ravina Horner said.

If you’d like to volunteer for the day-long event on Oct. 21, click here.