Vermont § 54 - Executive Order No. 20-54 (No. 17-17) [Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council]

§ 54. Executive Order No. 20-54 (No. 17-17) [Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council]

• WHEREAS, since the founding of our nation, the members of our armed forces have stood
  courageously against the enemies of freedom and liberty; and WHEREAS, Vermont is currently home to more than 49,000 men and women who have served
  their State and country in the armed services, many at great personal sacrifice; and WHEREAS, the conflicts overseas spanning nearly two decades bring a new generation
  of Veterans to Vermont; and WHEREAS, all Vermonters are grateful for the sacrifices of our Veterans who have served
  our country with distinction; and WHEREAS, as a society, we place a special responsibility on ourselves to care for
  our Veterans, or in the words of Calvin Coolidge, “The Nation which forgets its defenders
  will itself be forgotten”; and WHEREAS, the military experience of many Vermont Veterans has created special, long-term
  needs requiring recognition and assistance; and WHEREAS, the aging population of our Veterans continues to create significant new
  demands on public services; and WHEREAS, for their well-being, the voices of the Veteran community must be heard clearly
  by the State’s political leaders at the highest level in a forum conducive to a free
  exchange of ideas. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority
  vested in me as Governor, do hereby reconstitute the Governor’s Veterans Advisory
  Council to advise on public policy relating to Vermont’s Veterans as follows: The Council shall advise the Governor on the full spectrum of Veterans’ needs and
  how State government can best address the interests of Veterans. The Council shall be comprised of not more than fifteen (15) members and not more
  than four (4) alternate members appointed by the Governor. The Council will reflect
  the diversity of service and experience of Vermont Veterans. Council members shall
  serve on the Council for a term of two years. The Governor shall appoint the Chair
  and Vice-Chair of the Council. The Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard
  or designee, the CEO of the Vermont Veterans’ Home or designee, and the Director of
  the White River Junction Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center or designee shall serve
  as ex-officio members of the Council. The appointees to the Council will be broadly representative of the Veteran community
  and may include members of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Vermont National
  Guard, Vermont Veterans’ Home, the VA Medical Center and Veterans Benefits Office,
  Vermont General Assembly, the healthcare community, and individuals not having served
  in the military with an interest in Veterans’ affairs. The Office of Veterans Affairs
  will staff the Council. I hereby authorize per diem compensation and reasonable and necessary expense reimbursement
  for travel and food for members who are not fulltime State employees pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010(e). This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order No. 08-03 dated May 13,
  2003 (codified as Executive Order 20-30). This Executive Order shall take effect
  upon signing. Dated October 3, 2017.