Vets Town Hall – Rutland 2024

All are invited to a Vets Town Hall at the Godnick Adult Center in Rutland, Vermont. Veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend and listen. This event is non-political, and all perspectives are valued. There will be no debate on American foreign policy.

Please click here or scroll down to RSVP. (RSVPs are required for the pre-event dinner. For the Vets Town Hall itself, RSVPs are optional, but encouraged.)

Please join us for a free pre-event dinner at 5:30pm. The Vets Town Hall itself will begin at 6pm. There may be an optional question-and-answer period with some of the speakers at the end of the event.

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.

Each veteran will be given up to 10 minutes to speak. (This time may vary somewhat depending on how many interested speakers we have.) Veterans who would like to speak can contact vermont@vetstownhall.org, or you can indicate interest in speaking 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.

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.

Community Partners

Kyle Aines, who will host the Rutland Vets Town Hall, grew up in the small mountain town of Tinmouth, Vermont. He joined the army in 2003 and served two tours in Iraq as a combat medic. He graduated from Castleton with a degree in criminal justice before joining Community College of Vermont as CCV’s Associate Director of Veterans and Military Services. He now works as a general contractor serving Rutland County. Additionally, he serves as a mentor for The Warrior Connection, and is transitioning to a facilitator role.

The Godnick Adult Center (our venue sponsor) provides a welcoming space for adults to socialize, learn, travel, eat, and exercise. As a part of the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department, the Godnick Adult Center strives to bring its community quality and beneficial programs, activities, trips, and events. Located at 1 Deer Street in Rutland, the Godnick Adult Center is open to both Rutland City residents as well as non-residents, some programs or activities have a fee, while some are suggested donation or free. Stop by anytime Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 4:30 PM to pick up the monthly newsletter or view it online.

Rutland’s own Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter One (our meal sponsor) was the very first chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America formed. The organization’s aims include promoting and supporting the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, creating a new identity for this generation of veterans, and changing public perception of Vietnam veterans. Learn more here.

Rutland Young Professionals is an all-volunteer, all-inclusive organization focused on creating a vibrant Rutland Region and promoting all of the opportunities available here to young professionals near and far. We were founded in July of 2013 by a group of energetic young professionals seeking a way to connect with other people, jobs, volunteer and mentorship opportunities, professional development, and fun.

Vermont Adaptive’s Veteran Ventures: Vermont Adaptive is proud to offer programs specifically designed for injured service members, veteran’s with disabilities, and their families. Since the organization’s inception, Vermont Adaptive has worked with veterans with disabilities and evolved their programs to match the changes in the needs and interests of men and women who have been injured in the line of duty.

Thank you to:

• Kyle Aines, for hosting the event
• Our local event partners:
  • The Godnick Center (our venue sponsor)
  • Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1 (our meal sponsor)
  • Rutland Young Professionals
  • Vermont Adaptive
• Vermont Veterans Outreach Program for attending and being available to provide peer support
• Our meal partners, Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging and Trio Community Meals
• Cabot Cheese, for donating snacks
• This event is supported in part by the Vermont Humanities. (Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Vermont Humanities or any other supporting organization.)
• …and the many individuals and organizations who have offered advice, feedback, and support