A Place for Vermont Veterans to Come Together

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

As the former Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, it has been one of my deepest honors to meet veterans and service members from all across Vermont and our country. Through the years, what has long been clear to me is a simple truth. We owe an enormous debt to our veterans and their loved ones, one which we will never be able to fully repay.

But what we can do – what we must do – is provide the best quality of care to those brave Americans who put their lives on the line to defend us. That means quality health care, that means accessing benefits in a timely manner, that means not forgetting the families of veterans, and so much more. It also means providing opportunities and resources for veterans to come together, build community, heal, and live full lives.

I am glad to say that Josh’s House in Colchester Vermont is doing just that. Recently, the Bernie Buzz visited Josh’s House to learn more about their history, their mission, and about everything they do to help Vermont veterans. I hope you will take a moment to watch the video below and hear their story.

Josh’s House is named for Joshua Pallotta, who joined the Vermont National Guard in 2009, knowing he would deploy to Afghanistan. When he came back to Vermont, he dealt with physical injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). On September 23, 2014, Josh lost his battle with PTS and ended his life. His mom, Valerie, along with their family and loved ones, opened Josh’s House in his memory to provide veterans with the resources they knew he would have benefitted from.

All too often, veterans in Vermont and across our country leave the military and struggle to adapt to everyday civilian life. This is also true for our Guard members who return home following a military deployment. Too often, they are not able to access the resources they have earned and are specifically designed to help them thrive again. It is that very challenge that Josh’s House addresses every day through events, recreational activities, and a variety of wellness-focused services.

In addition to Josh’s House, there are many other resources that are available to Vermont veterans and service members. We have compiled some of those resources below and you can find more HERE. If you or someone you know needs help accessing benefits or resolving an issue with Veterans Affairs, please do not hesitate to contact my office on our website, or by phone at 802-862-0697 or 1-800-339-9834. A member of my team will be happy to assist you.


Sincerely,

Additional Resources for Vermont Veterans

VA Health Care in Vermont: Vermont veterans can access medical care through the VA, provided at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, five Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and two Vet Centers. For information on these health care facilities, to find a location that is best for you, and to learn how to enroll in VA health care, visit: https://www.va.gov/white-river-junction-health-care/


Vet Centers: Similar to Josh’s House, Vermont’s Vet Centers offer confidential help for veterans, service members (including the National Guard), and their families in a non-medical setting and AT NO COST. Their services include counseling for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), as well as community building activities like yoga, fly tying, and music lessons. Vet Centers can also connect you with more support in the VA and in your community. Contact your local vet center to learn more about their programs:

• Vermont VA Vet Center Locations:
  • South Burlington Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/south-burlington-vet-center
  • White River Junction Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/white-river-junction-vet-center

Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports: Vermont Adaptive is an organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming, regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities. Many of their programs include environmental education, wellness, and special programs designed specifically for veterans. Learn more here: https://www.vermontadaptive.org/ and read a 2022 Bernie Buzz story on Vermont Adaptive here.

Vermont Veterans and Family Outreach: The Vermont Veterans and Family Outreach Program was created in 2007 through funding secured by Senator Sanders to help veterans and their families obtain the benefits they’ve earned through their service. Everyone on the outreach team has served in the military. They have a 24-hour resource line for crisis situations, and they operate in 12 different locations across the state. The members of the outreach team are experts at identifying potential needs and referring veterans and families to the appropriate service providers. Learn more here: https://veterans.vermont.gov/benefits-and-services/transition-assistance/outreach

State of Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs: This site contains information to help you understand what benefits and services are available for Vermont veterans. The site consolidates information from numerous federal, state, and private organizations in order to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. One of the office’s most important functions is helping veterans apply for federal disability benefits and helping survivors apply for survivor benefits. Learn more here https://veterans.vermont.gov or by calling (802) 828-337.

Veterans Legal Assistance Project of Vermont (VLAP): VLAP was established at Vermont Law School in 2014 to provide free legal assistance to Vermont’s military veteran population. Learn more here: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/academics/clinics-and-externships/south-royalton-legal-clinic/projects/vlap

Transitioning to Civilian Life: About 250,000 service members transition to civilian life each year. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help them prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring. Learn more about TAP and how it can benefit you here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp

Important Hotlines for Veterans: MyVA411 is a national, toll-free number that serves as a “front door” to the VA. Call MyVA411 at 1-844-698-2411 to get information on VA health care, benefits, and services, from COVID-19 and the MISSION Act to health care eligibility and enrollment, disability compensation, education programs, caregiver support, insurance, and payment options. Calls during business hours will be referred to a VA specialist best able to assist. If you are a veteran, family member, or loved one in crisis, and need assistance, you can also call the Veterans Crisis Hotline by dialing 988 then press 1, or text 838255. The crisis hotline is open 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

• MyVA411: 1-844-698-2411 
• Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then press 1, or text 838255