Community fosters veteran services

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A new organization in western New York was introduced on Saturday.

It's a not-for profit called "Vets Herd", dedicated to fostering veterans services in the Buffalo Niagara region. It's first line of duty is to help a local vet and his family.

Dozens gathered at the Connecticut Street armory to take place in a moving ceremony for war veterans.

The event was organized by a veteran support group, "Vets Herd", a newly formed not-for-profit dedicated to helping returning and disabled veterans.

Retired U.S. Marine, Jordan Strong remarked, "An organization like Vets Herd is a one stop shop for vets where I can go and have the ease that there are people there to help me, guide me and end frustrations I have to acclimate myself to civilian life."

Vets Herd is also helping the Stanz family. Their son, 28-year old staff Sergeant John Stanz of Hamburg suffered critical injuries in Afghanistan, back in August.

An I.E.D. exploded under his vehicle.

"We went to being told we were going to loose our boy to where he was gonna be an invalid the rest of his life to now where he is functioning and being able to do things almost like he use to," exclaimed his father, John.

Stanz has been recovering at his parents home but the family said they need to make renovations to accommodate his needs.

Thanks to Vets Herd that will happen. The organization announced a plan Saturday to renovate the Stanz family home as part of, Operation Stanz.

"It's going to give him privacy, make him more independent which are our hopes. He can be independent and living on his own. This is our dream."

Saturday's ceremony also featured a performance of the song "Thank You Soldier," written by Rochester resident Joe Brocato and currently being played all over the nation.

The singer/songwriter told News 4 he was inspired by soldiers like Stanz.

Joe commented, "I want to reach out and touch as many soldiers as I can with this beautiful song."

Sandy Stanz appreciates his song and all the support her family is getting.

"We're really blessed that my son made it," she expressed.

Operation Stanz will begin on Friday. Volunteers from Vets Herd will start working to renovate and rebuild the Stanz's home to make it more accessible for their son.

The project will be funded through donations from the western New York community.