For Attendees

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I’m not a veteran. May I attend?

Yes! All community members are welcome. Only veterans will speak, but non-veterans are encouraged to attend, to listen, and to learn.
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What are the guidelines for attendees?

Listening without judgment or interruption is one of the most powerful and supportive acts a person can offer, and that is what is expected of veterans and non-veterans alike. You may hear something you 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 refrain from commenting in any way during the event. If veterans wish to continue a conversation with you afterward, that is entirely up to them. But the point of this event is simply to give veterans a chance to speak, and to bring the community closer around them.

It’s okay to leave the auditorium and come back. This isn’t a performance; it’s a public gathering, and the aim is that it be respectful but relaxed.

There may be an optional question-and-answer period at the end of the event. We ask that attendees only ask questions of the speakers who choose to participate in this Q&A.

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Are children welcome?

Your children are welcome to attend with you, but when deciding whether or not to bring them, please be aware that speakers will address serious topics and that this is not a rehearsed event.

For Speakers

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I’m a veteran and am interested in speaking. Could you tell me more about the event? What should I speak about?

At a Vets Town Hall, veterans of any era who have served in any capacity are invited to to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes.

Tell us what your service means to you. All perspectives are valued. We’re here to listen to whatever you want to say to your community, and to learn about what it was like to serve in the wars that this nation has chosen to fight.

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 a veteran who would like to register to speak, you can find event details here at vtvetstownhall.org. Registration is optional, but helps us plan. 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.

If you’re not sure what you’d like to speak about, here are some starting points – but don’t feel limited by this list:
During your military service, what surprised you most about yourself?
Why did you join?
What was your hardest day?
What do you miss?
Tell us about some of the items, both practical and personal, that you carried with you while on deployment.
How did you stay in touch with family and friends back home?
How does your time in the military affect your daily life today?
When did you leave the military? What was that process like?
What or who has helped you in the transition from military to civilian life? What has been challenging or surprising about that transition?
What questions do you wish civilians would ask when they learn that you’re a vet?

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I’ve spoken at a previous event. May I speak again this year, or at another location?

Veterans who have spoken in previous years are welcome to speak again.

Veterans who would like to are invited to speak at one or two locations in any given year. We suggest that veterans speak at the event(s) closest to their hometown, or the one in the community in which they have the closest ties, as our aim is to increase understanding and create connections between local veterans and their communities.

For Organizations

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Are tables available for organizations?

There won’t be any tabling at the event, in order to make sure the focus is clearly on the speakers and the experiences being shared. Of course, it’s important to share information about resources as well, so there will be a table with literature from various organizations. Please don’t hesitate to bring some fliers for this table. Representatives from Veterans Service Organizations are also welcome to bring business cards and share those; there’s generally some socializing before/after the event. If your organization has representatives who are veterans, they are welcome to speak – but we ask that they speak as individuals, not on behalf of the organization.

General

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How can I learn more about the Vets Town Hall initiative and how to start one in my hometown?

The national Vets Town Hall website is vetstownhall.org.

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How can I contact the organizer?

Please email Kristen at vtvetstownhall@gmail.com with any questions.

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Who organizes/sponsors these events? What is the history of Vets Town Halls in Vermont?

These events first and foremost exist because of the communities where they take place.  They would not happen without the veterans who have spoken at each event and the veteran and non-veteran attendees who have shown up to listen.

The Vets Town Hall event format was originated by author Sebastian Junger (War, Tribe), and the first Vets Town Hall of this kind was hosted by Rep. Seth Moulton in Marblehead, MA in 2015.

Vermont’s Kristen Eaton attended a Dover, NH, Vets Town Hall in November 2016, and, after returning home, reached out to several local veterans, including John Tracy, Jon Turner, Kyle Aines, and Josh Gerasimof. All were kind enough to offer advice, encouragement, and support. The first Vets Town Hall of this kind in Vermont was held in Burlington’s Contois Auditorium in November 2017. The next year, Kyle Aines and CCV added a Rutland event, followed by a St. Johnsbury event in 2019. 2020’s pandemic necessitated a year-long hiatus; in 2021, we returned with four outdoor Vets Town Halls.

Vets Town Hall (VTH) was launched as a national organization in 2022. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation is based in the state of Vermont. VTH provides resources for local event organizers nationwide. Some events are run by individuals, some by elected officials, and others by organizations. VTH also directly supports Vermont’s events. Kristen is a VTH board member and, through her LLC, works as a contractor with the organization. Through this work with VTH, Kristen works closely with local partners on Vermont’s events, and handles statewide communications.

Kristen spearheaded the 2017-2019 Burlington-area Vets Town Halls on a volunteer basis; much of 2021’s work was funded by a grant from the Vermont Veterans Fund, which has continued to be an important sponsor. Vermont’s Vets Town Halls have also been supported in part by Vermont Humanities since early 2023, and we’re honored to be included in the inaugural group of recipients for their Partnership Grant Program. Vets Town Hall (a 501(c)(3)) is also supported by individual donations.

The Vermont Veterans Outreach Program has attended and been available to provide peer support at the vast majority of events, Burlington Lakeside Clinic peer support specialists have done the same at many Burlington-area events.

The Vets Town Halls that have been held in Vermont are:

  • November 2017 at Contois Auditorium, Burlington. Hosted by John Tracy. Coordinated by Kristen Eaton. Venue sponsored by the Mayor’s Office.
  • November 2018 at Contois Auditorium, Burlington. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE. Venue sponsored by the Mayor’s Office. Marketing support from CCV.
  • November 2018 in Rutland. Hosted and coordinated by Kyle Aines and Community College of Vermont.
  • November 2019 at McCarthy Arts Center, SMC, Colchester. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE. Venue sponsored by St. Michael’s College Military Community Services and Student Veteran Association. Marketing support from CCV
  • November 2019 in Rutland. Hosted and coordinated by Kyle Aines and CCV
  • November 2019 at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury. Hosted and coordinated by Marty McMahon and CCV
  • June 2021 at Camp Meade in Middlesex. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE. Venue sponsored by Camp Meade. Marketing support from CCV. Funding provided by the Vermont Veterans Fund.
  • July 2021 at Prouty Beach in Newport. Hosted by Marty McMahon. Coordinated by KE. Venue sponsored by CCV. Marketing support from CCV. Support and assistance from Newport VFW Post 798. Funding provided by the Vermont Veterans Fund.
  • August 2021 at the Godnick Center in Rutland. Hosted and coordinated by Kyle Aines and CCV. Funded in part by the Vermont Veterans Fund.
  • September 2021 at Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE. Venue sponsored by the Mayor’s Office. Marketing Support from CCV. Funding provided by the Vermont Veterans Fund.
  • October 9, 2022 at the Godnick Center in Rutland. Hosted and coordinated by Kyle Aines. Venue sponsored by CCV. Support provided by VTH.
  • October 16, 2022 in the Moore Community Room on Northern Vermont University’s Lyndon campus. Hosted and coordinated by Marty McMahon. Venue sponsored by NVU’s Student Veterans Association. Support provided by VTH.
  • November 6, 2022 at the McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE and VTH. Venue sponsored by SMC Military Community Services and Student Veteran Association.
  • March 11, 2023 at South Burlington Public Library. Hosted by Vermont Veterans Outreach. Coordinated by SBPL. Support provided by VTH.
  • Our first-ever Family Vets Town Hall: April 2, 2023 at McCarthy Arts Center, SMC, Colchester. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE and VTH. Venue sponsored by SMC Military Community Services and Student Veteran Association. Funded in part by VEC Community Fund and Vermont Humanities.
  • November 3, 2023 at the Godnick Adult Center, Rutland. Hosted and coordinated by Kyle Aines. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities and CVMA Vermont 26-2.
  • November 5, 2023 at American Legion Post 5, Brattleboro. Hosted by Tristam Johnson. Coordinated by the American Legion Post 5 Tuesday Coffee Hour and Vermont Veterans Outreach. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities and CVMA Vermont 26-2.
  • November 5, 2023 at McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester. Hosted by Jon Turner. Coordinated by KE and VTH. Venue sponsored by SMC Military Community Services and Student Veteran Association. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities and CVMA Vermont 26-2.
  • November 9, 2023 at Vermont Law School’s Chase Community Center, South Royalton. Hosted by Don Hayes. Coordinated by Sean Braunstein. Venue sponsored by Vermont Law School. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 12, 2023 at Orange East Senior Center, Bradford. Hosted and coordinated by Marty McMahon. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities and CVMA Vermont 26-2.
  • October 24, 2024 at Holley Hall, Bristol. Hosted by Jon Turner. Local partners: the Bristol Recreation Department, the Bristol Social Justice Discussion Group, and the Lawrence Memorial Library. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 8, 2024 at Godnick Adult Center, Rutland.Hosted by Kyle Aines. Local partners: the Godnick Adult Center, Rutland Young Professionals, Vermont Adaptive’s Veteran Ventures program, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 10, 2024 at McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester. Hosted by Jon Turner. Local partners: Saint Michael’s College Military Community Services and Student Veterans Association. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 10, 2024 at Catamount Arts Center, Saint Johnsbury.Hosted by Marty McMahon. Local partners: Catamount Arts. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 14, 2024 at Vermont Law School’s Chase Community Center, South Royalton. Hosted by Don Hayes. Local partners: Sean Braunstein, Vermont Law & Graduate School. Support provided by VTH. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • November 17, 2024, at American Legion Post 5, Brattleboro.Hosted by Norman VanCor. Local partners: the attendees and organizers of the American Legion Post 5 Tuesday coffee hour, Vermont Veterans Outreach. Funded in part by Vermont Humanities.
  • 2025 dates to come