Governor Phil Scott:
"Today we pause to honor the brave men and women who served our state and nation in the Armed Services. Thousands of Vermonters have served our country over the course of American history, and too many never made it home.
"From the Green Mountain boys who joined the fight for independence; to a war that saved the Union, and two world wars; to Korea and Vietnam and the Middle East, and our F-16s defending the skies above Ground Zero on 9/11/2001; Vermonters have always answered our nation’s call.
"Their sense of duty, and sacrifice, is why it’s so important for us to take the time to not only thank our veterans, but to listen to their stories, as well. They are why we live in the greatest country on Earth, and we must always be grateful to those who made that possible."
Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray:
“On Veterans Day in Vermont, we honor the over 43,000 veterans who call our state home, as well as the millions more across the country who have served and sacrificed to protect our nation.
"Vermont has a long history of military service, going as far back as the Green Mountain Boys’ participation in the American Revolution. Our brave servicemen and women have risked their lives to secure our freedoms in the line of duty, and it is our continued duty to ensure they receive the support and care they deserve.
"Thank you to our veterans, their families and our future veterans – our active duty troops – for your commitment, your sacrifice, and your courage. We are forever indebted to your service.”
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont):
“We owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude, one which we will never truly be able to repay. As a longtime member and former Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I believe that on Veterans Day, and every day, we honor the extraordinary sacrifice and bravery of our nation’s veterans, and the families who stand by their side in service to our country.
“As we recognize, honor, and remember their service, we must, as a community, do more. We must commit ourselves to keeping America’s promise to our veterans and servicemembers, just as they kept their promise to us. That means making certain that veterans and their families get all the benefits they earned through their service, on time and without delay. That means ensuring access to the best quality health care this country can provide by protecting and strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs. That means ensuring no veteran goes hungry or is forced to sleep on the streets. And it means ending injustice, including making sure those who served their country are not deported, as well as doing right by those exposed to toxic substances and with bad paper discharges.
“I believe that if someone takes an oath to serve their country, to go off to war, to risk their life or risk coming home wounded - in body or in spirit - then that government has a duty to make good on its commitment. I am honored to work every day to keep that promise to our veterans and their families.”
Major General Greg Knight, Vermont National Guard, CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont
"Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service. On Veterans Day, we honor your service to our communities, state and nation. Wherever and whenever you are needed, you serve willingly.
"As you may have heard me say before, we live in a world where all too many say "I can't" or "I won't" when asked about serving in our military. Despite the challenges, sacrifice and inconvenience - and it is rarely convenient - each of you said "I will serve." Where would we be as a nation without people like you? Given the past year and half, it is a rhetorical question. Our Guard has supported Governor Scott and our citizens in addressing the pandemic. Some of what you have done:
- Provided 70,000 vaccines to Vermonters - Thank you Task Force Coyote! Well done!
- Collected over 34,000 test samples
- Assembled and distributed over half a million test kits
- Interviewed over 13,000 close contacts as part of contact tracing
- Assembled a 400 bed Alternate Care Facility (twice)
- Distributed 3.2 million meals to Vermonters feeling the pinch of the pandemic
- Offloaded over 660 trucks at the SNS warehouse, organizing and distributing 1.8 million products
- Responded to our Nation’s Capital on short notice, arriving within 72 hours of the request to provide security
"And our Guard did this while preparing for, and deploying, 85 Airmen and nearly 1000 Soldiers to three combatant commands. Our Air National Guard persevered, and excelled, during three significant training deployments to Florida, Wisconsin and Nevada, setting the conditions to come out of conversion as an operational F35 fighter wing. Our Army National Guard is currently serving in southwest Asia, the Horn of Africa, and in Kosovo, standing in the breach to maintain regional peace and stability. Providing this level of service demands effort, courage, sacrifice and commitment. I am proud of our Vermont National Guard, as you should be. Wear it. Be proud of your service - you make us better, as a Guard, as a state, and as a Nation. I offer special thanks to your families, without whom we cannot do our jobs. They know too well the sacrifices you make, and are there making them with you. So yes, Happy Veteran’s Day. Thanks for being a part of it.
"Put the Vermonters Ahead!"