News
MSNBC’s Morning Joe: Vets Town Halls give veterans the chance to share their stories
“I think one of the most powerful parts of these town halls is actually how it brings in the whole community. Because there are so many Americans today who respect veterans, who want to help and support veterans, but just don’t even know how to relate to us…” says Seth Moulton.
Read MoreWDEV Interview with VTH board member Jon Turner
“When you have the opportunity to find common ground and to sit and to listen to the other’s experience, and to do so without judgement, that’s really when you can build a community…”
Jon Turner, Vets Town Hall board member and emcee, spoke with WDEV host Brad Ferland about his transition from military to civilian life, and about building community through Vets Town Halls.
Read More19 Events in 9 States
This fall, veterans will be invited to speak about what their service means to them, and all community members are encouraged to attend and listen, at events in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington. These events are spearheaded by local organizers with the aim of increasing understanding and creating connections between veterans and non-veterans in their communities.
Read MoreThe Boston Globe: Veterans reach out about their needs, one town at a time
“War is one of the most unique experiences in the world, and it’s an experience that is incredibly hard to understand unless you’ve been there.” Vets Town Halls are intended to help bridge that gap. “It doesn’t matter if you’re liberal or conservative, gay or straight, rich or poor” in combat, Junger said. “And in…
Read MoreThe Guardian: ‘A sacred space’: Sebastian Junger and Seth Moulton on Vets Town Hall
“In this ‘dire time of polarisation’, Junger said, Vets Town Hall might provide ‘kind of a sacred space. I’m an atheist, but I use the word sacred all the time. It’s a sacred space in the sense that ordinary life is suspended and here we are in this place, and we’re honoring something, and we’re…
Read MoreVTDigger: Bestselling author Sebastian Junger registers nonprofit for veterans in Vermont
By starting Vets Town Hall, Junger said, he hopes to reinforce the connection between veterans and their communities. “We are of one nation and we’re doing this together, and the people that actually pulled the triggers were sent there by us.” …[Fellow board member Jon] Turner said storytelling plays a central role in veterans’ events…
Read MoreBoston Globe: We need a new narrative for the Afghanistan War
Dan Vallone, a veteran who served in Afghanistan, writes, “We forge new narratives by challenging what we think we know about the war, not with facts, dates, and figures, but with stories: of hardship and lost friends; of triumphs small and profound; and of pride, confusion, anger, and alienation. We can begin by holding town…
Read MoreSebastian Junger at SVA NatCon 2022
“I’m here to tell you now that your country still needs you. And they need you because you have experienced what unity, real unity, feels like.” Sebastian Junger spoke about coming home, community, and the purpose of Vets Town Halls at Student Veterans of America‘s National Conference on January 8, 2022. Listen to Sebastian’s talk…
Read MoreHelp Sheet: Running a Vets Town Hall
We’ve just uploaded an updated printer-friendly PDF version of our Running a Town Hall page. You can download, print and share. Don’t forget to let us know how your town hall goes, or get in touch to ask any question.
Read MoreSpeaking at a Vets Town Hall
At a Vets Town Hall, veterans of any era who have served in any capacity have the right to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes. We’ve posted some notes and starting points for speakers, and uploaded a printable speaker info sheet.
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