Photos: Homeless veterans stand down in San Diego

Homeless veterans line up early in the morning to get into Veterans Village Stand Down, an annual event that this year attracted nearly 1,000 vets for three days of shelter, sustenance and support in July in San Diego. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

The tents inside the temporary camp await the veteran guests. This is the 26th year a Stand Down has been held in San Diego. Similar events are held in dozens of other cities throughout the year. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Lining up just before the gates open. The Stand Downs have emerged as a response to the chronic homelessness in the veteran population. In 2009, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki set the goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015. Since then, the population of homeless veterans has dropped by 17.2 percent, according to one estimate. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

At the registration desk. A number of the Homeless veterans were accompanied their families, including children. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

After registration, vets set up cots in assigned tents. “Some of them are real sick, they’re raggedy, downtrodden,” said Dr. Jon Nachison, the psychologist who founded Stand Down. “Stand Down is designed to work on that, put them in an altered state. It happens getting some food. It happens just getting a shower and putting on new clothes.” Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Photographer Anthony Suau noted that many of new arrivees fall asleep right away. No longer forced to worry about securing their meager possessions - a huge stressor of life on the street many want nothing more than a few hours of uniterrupted rest. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

At the registration desk. Most of the vets currently living on the street are from the Vietnam era, but more and more who served at Iraq and Afghanistan have begun to seek VA services. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Filling out applications for substance abuse programs. Many on the streets are plagued by addictions to alcohol and drugs. Stand Down presents them with an opportunity to get out of the addictive cycle. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

An arrivee finishes shaving. For many, the facilities at Stand Down offer the vets their first chance to get clean in weeks. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Among the services offered are relaxation messages, chiropractic services, and muscle therapy. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

A veteran is fitted for glasses on the second day of the event. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

For many, one of the most important services provided is an open legal court that allows homeless veterans the chance to clear their misdemeanor charges and deal with family issues. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

A mobile medical office provides free dental care. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Free clothing, shoes, jackets and hats are distributed on the first day of the event. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

On the final day of Stand Down, the vets and their families are allowed to enter the free clothing area to take as much as they can carry. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

A live music concert was held on the final night of the event. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

The national anthem is played on the event’s last day. “People should feel, ‘I did something, I went through this, I accomplished something, I stayed all weekend,’ said Dr. Nachison. “This person getting a Stand Down hat is not the same guy or gal who went through the gate.” Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

A parade of veterans - one tent at a time - is organized on the last day of Stand Down. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Homeless veterans and their immediate families clear the tents of cots - although some sleep on the ground after - on the final day. Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America

Attendees head back to the streets on the last day. "When people leave, it’s hard for me," said Dr. Nachison. "I do hope that something's stirred inside them…Sometimes it takes two Stand Downs, sometimes more. Then one day, that person comes back and they say, you know what, I'm off the street and I'm here to volunteer.", Anthony Suau for Al Jazeera America