Veterans Share Stories of War, Trauma and Healing at St. Johnsbury Town Hall

ST. JOHNSBURY — Decades after returning from Vietnam, Chip Troiano still struggles with the memories of war. Stephen Kline found another form of service helping Vermonters recover from addiction. Both shared their experiences Sunday afternoon at Catamount Arts during a Veterans Town Hall, an event meant to give veterans a place to speak and their neighbors a chance to listen.

About 15 people attended the gathering, one of several held across Vermont around Veterans Day. Each veteran was allotted 10 minutes to speak about what military service meant to them.

The event was emceed by U.S. Air Force veteran Marty McMahon, who has led the Northeast Kingdom gatherings for six years. He described the program as “solemn and completely non-political.” Attendees were there to hear veterans’ experiences, not debate foreign policy.

Assigned to light weapons infantry, Troiano resolved to do what it took to survive.

His platoon conducted reconnaissance, search-and-destroy missions and night ambush patrols. The soldiers arrived together, without the benefit of joining an established unit of combat veterans, but quickly learned to depend on one another.

The St. Johnsbury gathering was presented by Vets Town Hall and Catamount Arts. McMahon thanked Catamount Arts staff member Andrea Otto for her work organizing the local program and Kristen Eaton, deputy director of Vermont Vets Town Hall, for helping expand the events around the state. He also thanked Cabot Cheese for its annual contribution.

And now it’s time for your Moo92 sports…

The Boston Celtics are now atop the Eastern Conference after 123-101 beat down of the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. It was the first regular season matchup between former teammates Jaysun Tatum and Jalen Brown. Paul George led all scorers with 36 points in the win. The Celtics travel to Toronto tonight to take on the Raptors. Tipoff at 7pm.

In hockey, the Montreal Canadians dropped their matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night by a score of 2-1. A Minnesota power play goal 21 seconds into overtime was the difference. Next up the Habs will travel to Boston on Thursday night to take on the Bruins. Puck drops at 7pm.