Family Vets Town Hall seeks stories of veterans’ family members
March 21, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Veteran Sherman Hunt speaks at a Burlington Vets Town Hall in 2021. Photo by Megan Humphrey
The organization that puts together town hall gatherings for Vermont U.S. service veterans has a new event scheduled for this weekend at Saint Michael’s College especially for families of service members.
The first Family Vets Town Hall is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Sunday, April 2, at the McCarthy Arts Center at St. Mike’s in Colchester, Vermont. Using a format like its Vets Town Hall events held each summer across Vermont, this gathering invites immediate family members of veterans to take the stage and speak for up to 10 minutes about their experiences.
Veterans and their families are invited to attend to speak or just listen. The event is free and non-political, and all perspectives are valued. Snacks will be provided.
The event is organized by Vets Town Hall, a Vermont-based national nonprofit that facilitates annual get-togethers where veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. This is the first event where family members are invited to speak.
"Military families have a different relationship with service, and I have often felt they absorb a majority of the burden from our being away, deployments, recoveries, and transitions,” says Jon Turner, who will emcee the event. “If we serve, they serve; that should not be neglected. Families have their own thoughts and perspectives which are invaluable. Their stories should be shared and listened to.”
Veteran Maureen Dwyer speaks at a Vets Town Hall in Colchester in 2022. File photo by Megan Humphrey
Turner served with the U.S. Marines from 2003-07, deploying to Haiti and twice to Iraq. He has worked with communities throughout the U.S. to assist the veteran reintegration process and recently launched 22 Peaks Challenge, a fundraiser to support organizations actively working to prevent veteran suicide. He operates Wild Roots Community Farm in Bristol, has been hosting Vets Town Halls in Vermont since 2018, and is on the Vets Town Hall Board of Directors.
Vets Town Halls were originated by author Sebastian Junger, author of “War,” and “Tribe,” with the aim of increasing communication and understanding between veterans and civilians in their communities. Vets Town Hall was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in March 2022. The organization provides resources to local Vets Town Hall organizers nationwide, and directly organizes events in Vermont.
Other local partners include Saint Michael’s College Military Community Services and Student Veterans Association, VEC Community Fund, and the Vermont Veterans Outreach Program, which will be available to offer peer support.
Those who would like to speak at Sunday’s event can indicate that when registering. Time permitting, family members of veterans are also welcome to sign up to speak during the event itself. RSVPs are optional but encouraged at vtvetstownhall.org. Questions may be directed to Kristen Eaton at vermont@vetstownhall.org.