Fighting for Veterans with Ron Tallman

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Too often, we as a nation honor those who served and sacrificed for our country on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but do little to remember them the rest of the year. Fortunately, here in Vermont, we have people like Ronald Tallman, who never give up on the cause to support our veterans all year long.

For over 40 years, Ron has helped organize and grow Barre’s Veterans Day celebration. It is a remarkable day where the community comes together to honor the extraordinary sacrifice, bravery, and service of our veterans and their loved ones. It is a day where you can see many veterans walking proudly in uniform, the sounds of friends, family, and neighbors cheering from the sidelines.

But Ron’s work doesn’t end when the day’s festivities come to a close. Ron shows up for veterans every single day.

From his own experience, Ron knows firsthand how difficult it can be to come home from war. He knows how important it is for veterans to have a safe haven where they can access the services they have earned, and a community that has some understanding of what they have gone through.

As Post Commander for the VFW 790, Ron has dedicated himself to providing that community and safe haven to as many veterans as possible. As Ron says: Whether you served 5 years ago or 80 years ago, there is always a place for you.

The Bernie Buzz got the chance to interview Ron about his life and this hugely important work. I hope you will take a moment to watch the video and hear what he had to say.

The reality is, we owe a tremendous debt to our veterans – a debt that can never truly be repaid. To all those Vermonters who support veterans in coming together, building community, and living full lives: Thank you.

And to Ron: Thank you for everything you do for your fellow veterans and for your lifetime of service.

Sincerely, 

Resources for Vermont Veterans

There are many resources that are available to Vermont veterans and servicemembers. My team has compiled some of those resources below and you can find more HERE and 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 through 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.

• 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: 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:
  
  • 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 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 – (888)-607-8773 – 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) 828-3379.
  
  
  
• 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
  
  
  
• 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.
  
  
  
• Josh’s House: Josh’s House is named after 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, including recreational activities and health and wellness resources. Josh’s House also provides meeting, study, and meal spaces, a large communal kitchen, a state-of-the-art gym, classes, and community events – at no cost. Learn more here: https://www.joshpallottafund.org/ and read the 2024 Bernie Buzz on Josh’s House here.
  
  
  
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): The VFW is a nonprofit Veterans Service Organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces. Among other services and advocacy work, the VFW provides benefits counseling with VFW accredited Service Officers, scholarships, and financial assistance to cover basic needs, as well as community spaces for veterans and servicemembers. Learn more here: https://www.vfw.org/
  
  
  
• American Legion: Founded by an Act of Congress after World War I, the American Legion advocates for the needs of veterans, service members, and their families. Learn more here: https://www.legion.org/about
  
  
  
• 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
  
  
  
• Important Hotlines for Veterans: MyVA411 is a national, toll-free number that serves as a “front door” to the VA. Call MyVA411 at 1-800-698-2411 to get information on VA health care, benefits, and services, from health care eligibility and enrollment to 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: 1-800-698-2411 
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then press 1, or text 838255