BRATTLEBORO-Vets Town Hall, a Vermont-based nonprofit, will bring community storytelling events to Vermont and New Hampshire Nov. 6-15, in partnership with local organizations.
Brattleboro and Wilmington are among this year's sites. The Brattleboro event will take place Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., while the Wilmington gathering will be held Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. at Pettee Memorial Library, 16 South Main St.
At each Vets Town Hall, any veteran is invited to speak about their experiences serving in the military and how those experiences have affected them.
These events are free and nonpolitical, and all perspectives are welcomed. Everyone - including those with no personal ties to the military - is encouraged to attend and listen.
"The stories shared at these events are as varied as the veterans who share them," Kristen Eaton, deputy director of Vets Town Hall, said in a news release. "This is a way for Vermonters, whatever their views on U.S. foreign policy, to support veterans as individuals."
Eaton said the veterans who speak "are our neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family members," and called the event "a chance to learn about some of the experiences that have been meaningful to them."
Author Sebastian Junger (The Perfect Storm, War, Tribe) originated this event format in 2015, partnering with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton to host the first Vets Town Hall in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Two years later, Eaton spearheaded the first Vets Town Hall in Vermont.
In 2022, Junger, Eaton, and Bristol resident and Marine Corps veteran Jon Turner founded the nonprofit Vets Town Hall, which works to increase understanding between veterans and non-veterans by facilitating these events nationally.
Registration is optional but encouraged for all attendees. Veterans and family members of veterans who would like to speak at this November's events can indicate so when registering. Time permitting, there will also be a chance to sign up at the event itself.
Donations are gratefully accepted.
Questions may be directed to Eaton at vermont@vetstownhall.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.