- This event has passed.
Sunday, November 2nd at 1:00 PM
Free and open to all
Presented by Vets Town Hall, Lt. Governor John Rodgers, Rep. Jill Krowinski, Sen. Philip Baruth, and James Ehlers, who will emcee.
All are invited to a Vets Town Hall in the House Chamber at Vermont’s State House on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, at 1pm in Montpelier. Veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend and listen. This event is free, non-political, and all perspectives are valued. There will be no debate on American foreign policy.
RSVPs are optional, but encouraged.
Join us for pre-event tours and refreshments! A tour of the State House will begin at noon, and refreshments will be availablein the State House cafe starting at 12:30pm. We’ll enjoy pizza from Positive Pie, baked goods from Skinny Pancake, coffee from Capitol Grounds, cheddar from Cabot Creamery, and additional fare from Hunger Mountain Co-op. Thank you to all of these local businesses for their donations!
What to Expect
For all attendees: All community members are invited to this event. Only veterans will speak, but non-veterans are encouraged to attend and listen. Throughout the event, you may hear something you agree or disagree with. You may have a question. Or you may want to say encouraging words with the intention to help. However, we ask that you please refrain from responding. We are simply here to listen and learn about what it was like to serve in the wars that this nation has chosen to fight.
For speakers: Tell us what your service means to you. Please tell us about your own experiences, whatever they may be, rather than speaking broadly about an issue or organization. You’re a member of our community, and it’s your stories, reflections, and insights that we’re anxious to hear. If you’re interested in speaking but aren’t sure what to speak about, click here for some questions that can serve as starting points. Each veteran will be given up to 10 minutes to speak. Veterans who would like to speak can mark that preference when registering. If you’re considering speaking but prefer not to register, we encourage you to attend. After pre-registered speakers go, the host will take speakers from the floor, time permitting. The goal is for every veteran who would like to speak to have a chance to do so. Of course, veterans (and all community members) are also welcome to simply attend and listen.
Getting There
Parking: Attendees can park in any of the lots surrounding the State House (Aiken Avenue, F lot, D lot). You can find a parking map here.
Accessibility: Information about accessible parking and access to the building can be found on this map.
Entrances: The entrance that we can guarantee will be open is the one circled in yellow in the map below. This entrance (which is accessible) is tucked behind the main building, between it and the extension to the back. The east and west entrances, circled in orange, are also likely to be open; these are on the left and right ends of the main building.
Community Partners
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Vermont Veterans Fund
The Vermont Veterans Fund was created in 2010 to provide grants or support to individuals or organizations engaged in activities that provide services: Under the guidance of the Veterans Fund committee, a group of veterans and veteran service providers with wide ranging experience in veteran services, the Fund supports large and small programs developed by…
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Vermont Humanities
A statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1974, Vermont Humanities seeks to engage all Vermonters in the world of ideas, foster a culture of thoughtfulness, and inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning. A state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Vermont Humanities believes that engagement with the world of ideas, in interaction…
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James Ehlers
James Ehlers is a former naval officer and current chief of staff to Lt. Governor John Rodgers, as well as a VFW Member of Post 1767.
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Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers
Lt. Governor John Rodgers is a father, husband, farmer, former legislator, and the 84th Lt. Governor of Vermont. He currently lives on his 200-year-old family farm in Glover, VT with his wife Brenda where he continues to farm with his son. John Rodgers was first elected as the collector of delinquent tax in his hometown…
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Representative Jill Krowinski
Jill Krowinski of Burlington was elected Vermont Speaker of the House on January 6th, 2021. She has served in the House since 2012 and was elected as House Majority Leader in 2017. Krowinski has experience working at non-profits and serving on community boards. Jill has served as the Executive Director of Emerge Vermont, an organization…
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Cabot Creamery Co-operative
Cabot Creamery achieved B Corp certification in 2012 and became the world’s first dairy cooperative to do so. This certification demonstrates their commitment to environmental and social impacts for their consumers, employees and cooperative of dairy farm families. Read more to learn more about what it means to be a B Corp.
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Positive Pie
Rooted in its beginning as an authentic Pizzeria, Positive Pie combines its old school heritage with a new age Vermont mindset. Their commitment to their guests is to provide a cool, contemporary, comfortable, casual – yet always stylish – urban refuge from the ordinary. Harvesting Italian flavors and infusing them with a Vermont sensibility, their…
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Hunger Mountain Co-op
Hunger Mountain Co-op is a member-owned, community-based natural market committed to building a dynamic community of healthy individuals, sustainable local food systems, and thriving cooperative commerce.
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Capitol Police Department
The Vermont Capitol Police Department predicates its mission and purpose based on community partnerships and service. They endeavor to protect the General Assembly – its members, employees, visitors, and facilities – so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe and secure environment.
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Office of the Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms of the Vermont State House is elected by the members of the Legislature and plays an integral role in maintaining order and decorum in the building. In addition to various ceremonial duties, the Sergeant at Arms’ Office is responsible for assigning meeting rooms, taking/delivering messages for Legislators, running the Legislative Page…
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Capitol Grounds Cafe
Proudly serving up fresh roasted coffee, breakfast, lunch and local pastries since 1998, in the capital of Vermont.
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The Skinny Pancake
The Skinny Pancake is on a mission to change the world by building a safer, healthier and more delicious food shed while creating everyday enjoyment that is fun and affordable.
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Sen. Phil Baruth
Phil Baruth currently serves as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate. He has held a variety of other leadership positions in the chamber since his original election in 2010: four years as Majority Leader (2013-16); four years as Chair of Senate Education (2017-20); and Chair of the Senate Sexual Harrassment Panel (2015-16)….
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The Bridge
The Bridge, a free, independent, and local newspaper serving Central Vermont, aims to strengthen the bonds between the people and communities of Central Vermont by covering the stories that matter most to them and providing a platform for communication. Within their pages, you can engage with political and business leaders, investigate the region’s most important issues, share…
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The State Curator’s Office and Volunteer Tour Guides
The Vermont State Curator’s Office oversees the restoration, care and conservation of the historic Vermont State House and its collections of fine art, decorative art and historic furniture, much of which is exhibited there. In addition, the office manages three gallery spaces in the Capitol District which rotate exhibitions of Vermont contemporary art: the Vermont Supreme Court Gallery in the lobby of…
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Montpelier Alive
Montpelier Alive celebrates the City of Montpelier. They work with partners to sustain and build upon Montpelier’s vibrant downtown community by offering and supporting special events and activities and by promoting City businesses. They work to ensure a thriving local economy for Montpelier and to preserve the City’s historic character and unique sense of place.
Featured image on this page is by Bob P. B., CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons