27 Vermont veterans and Guard family members urge Gov. Scott and legislators to support the Defend the Guard Act
MONTPELIER, VT — The same day that Vermont Public reported that members of the Vermont Air National Guard have been deployed on back-to-back overseas missions for eight months with no clear return date, 27 Vermont veterans, National Guard family members and retired U.S. military officers sent a letter to Gov. Phil Scott and members of the Vermont Legislature urging them to support the Vermont Defend the Guard Act.
H.355, introduced in 2025 by Rep. Troy Headrick (Independent), would require the governor to review orders placing Vermont National Guard units into federal active duty for military conflicts for compliance with the U.S. Constitution. The legislation is intended to protect the Guard from being deployed into overseas combat without congressional authorization.
The letter comes as approximately 200 members of the Vermont Air National Guard remain deployed to the U.S. Central Command region after being sent on consecutive missions, first to the Caribbean in connection with the U.S. military operation in Venezuela and then to the Middle East amid the war with Iran. Vermont Public reported Wednesday that members of the 158th Fighter Wing have been deployed for eight straight months, longer than the typical six-month deployment.
“Members of the Vermont National Guard enlisted out of duty to our state and country,” the letter states. “They have faithfully served Vermonters in times of crisis and have answered the call whenever our state and country have needed them.”
Referencing the deployments of the Vermont Guard for combat in Venezuela and Iran, the letter continues, “Regardless of our views on those conflicts themselves, many Vermonters were troubled that Congress did not publicly debate or vote on these military operations before Guard members were placed in harm’s way.”
“As a combat-wounded veteran of the Vietnam War, I’d like to paraphrase my fellow Vietnam veteran, John Kerry: How do you ask a man or a woman to be the first, or the last to die for a mistake?” said Sgt. E-5 Charles F. Monette, 1st Cavalry Division (retired), of Brattleboro, who signed the letter. “Let’s allow the men and women of Congress to deliberate, to debate, and to decide when and why and how to wage war. I would think the rationale for sending our men and women to war would be lessened. Suffering on all sides would be diminished.”
Colonel Rosanne M. Greco, USAF (retired), of South Burlington, said, “Passing the Defend the Guard Act reassures members of the Vermont National Guard that Vermont state leaders will protect them from federal political game playing with their lives.”
The letter addresses concerns about the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, arguing that the legislation would uphold rather than undermine federal law and constitutional requirements. It also addresses concerns regarding potential loss of federal funding and other objections to the legislation.
The letter closes with a call to the governor and state legislature: “We respectfully urge you to support the Defend the Guard Act and to uphold the constitutional principles that protect both our democracy and the Vermont National Guard members who faithfully serve.”
The Vermont Defend the Guard Act has received support from veterans and elected officials in Vermont and across the country. Vermont Democratic primary winners Amanda Janoo, candidate for governor, and Molly Gray, candidate for lieutenant governor, have endorsed the legislation, along with members of the Vermont House and Senate. In a July Vermont Public debate, Gray said the bill would protect Vermont Guard members from being deployed “off the books” without a congressional declaration of war or authorization for use of military force.
At a Vermont State House press event in March, Isaac Evans-Frantz, director of Action Corps, said, “The Vermont National Guard is needed here at home to fight fires here, not be starting fires halfway around the world.”
Retired Lt. Col. Jane Sbardella of Dummerston, who signed the letter, said:
“Being deployed takes a toll on a family. We don’t want our sacrifice wasted unless total mobilization is warranted. It is critical now to protect our National Guard in Vermont. As veterans we support the Defend the Guard Act.”
In recent years, Defend the Guard bills have been introduced in a majority of states, and the legislation has passed at least one chamber in New Hampshire, Arizona, Virginia and Idaho.
Read the full letter from Vermont veterans, Guard family members and retired military officers.
CONTACT: Isaac Evans-Frantz, Action Corps national director, isaac [at] actioncorps.org