Vets Town Hall connects veterans, non-veterans at St. Mike’s Nov. 6
Nov. 3, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Veterans Michelle Caver, Sherman Hunt, and Misha Pemble-Belkin speak at the Vets Town Hall held in Burlington in 2021. Photos by Megan Humphrey
In what has become an annual Veterans Day event, veterans and non-veterans alike are invited to Saint Michael’s College for a Vets Town Hall on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Veterans are invited to attend and speak for up to 10 minutes about what their service means to them while non-veterans are invited to attend and listen. The free, non-political event begins at 1 p.m. at McCarthy Arts Center on the Saint Michael's College campus in Colchester. Snacks will be provided.
This will be the third and final Vets Town Hall in Vermont this fall following October gatherings in Rutland and Lyndon. The events provide an opportunity to increase communication and understanding between local veterans and the community at large.
"Having an opportunity to gather with community members assists with the reintegration process and makes it possible for us to move beyond a narrative of conflict by honoring and sharing our stories,” said Jon Turner, host at the Colchester location. “Attending these gatherings are a reminder of the community we wish to embrace after military service."
Marty McMahon, who hosted the Lyndon event, said it’s a rare opportunity to hear vets tell their personal stories of their experiences in the service. “We can’t have a real dialogue with veterans until we take the time to listen with no judgment,” McMahon said.
Vets Town Halls began in 2017 by bestselling author Sebastian Junger to create a way for veterans to connect with their civilian communities. This year, a new nonprofit organization called Vets Town Hall has been created to provide resources to organizers of such gatherings nationwide.
"Support of our military does not start with a 'Support the Troops' bumper sticker and culminate with grilled chicken on Memorial Day weekend," said Rutland event host Kyle Aines. "As military members struggle to reintegrate back into society, it is imperative that society have a clear understanding of what they are transitioning from. The Vets Town Hall is that bridge and connection."
Veterans who would like to speak at the event can note that when registering. If time permits others may sign up during the event. Registration is optional but encouraged at vtvetstownhall.eventbrite.com.
Organizer Jon Turner speaks at the 2021 Vets Town Hall in Burlington. Photo by Megan Humphrey
Colchester event host Jon Turner served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 and was deployed to Haiti, Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq. Since his discharge, he has worked to assist veterans reintegrate to civilian society in a variety of ways including outdoor recreation and farming. He’s a Sierra Club Military Outings Leader and currently runs Wild Roots Community Farm in Bristol. Turner also founded the Vermont chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
Other partners in the Vermont program are Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University’s Student Veterans Association, and Saint Michael’s College Military Community Services and Student Veterans Association. The Vermont Veterans Outreach Program participates at each event as well. More information is online at vtvetstownhall.org.