Free flu shots, haircuts and meals were among the services given to veterans struggling with homelessness by Catholic Charities Hawai‘i on Friday at Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Hall at Keehi Lagoon Memorial Park in an early observance of Veterans Day.

About 85 veterans attended the 2013 Veterans Stand Down, where dozens of community organizations provided free services and information on veteran benefits and employment assistance to homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness. It’s the second year Catholic Charities hosted the event.

Erin Rutherford, supervisor of Catholic Charities’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, said the event was held to offer veterans respite and access to services.

The first Stand Down event was held in San Diego in 1988 by a group of veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Events held nationwide have reached out to thousands of veterans and their families.

Donna Klinch, a 24-year veteran who has been staying at the YWCA and U.S. Vets transitional housing for female veterans in Makiki, said, "I’m having a lot of fun and got a lot of good information."

Klinch also got a free haircut from the Hawaii Institute of Hair Design, which set up chairs in a corner of the hall.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hono­lulu served a breakfast of waffles topped with sliced bananas, strawberries, chocolate sauce or syrup, and whipped cream.

Metal racks filled with free clothing were set up by The Salvation Army.

Nursing students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa offered free flu shots in a large air-conditioned mobile van operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hallry Ho, instructor of the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academy at UH-Manoa, said the veterans deserve the free services.

"They served our country," she said.