With the five year anniversary of the Iraq war just passing and over four thousand US soldiers killed, one Vermont soldier is speaking out about the what its like to be in the Army National Guard.

For lifelong Vermonter Isaac March, joining the Army National Guard was a choice that would change him in many ways.

((Isaac Marsh:” For me joining the guards was the only way I could possibly jump start my life. I grew up in a very poor family who didn’t have much and I wanted to go to college. Getting an education was the important key to getting a job so I could help get my family on the ground.))

After joining the guards in 2003, Marsh was later deployed to Iraq in 2004 and spent a year and three month there. Stationed in Kuwait, he also spent time in Baghdad and northern Iraq spending most of his time in a tank as a fire directions specialist. He assisted in interrogations and worked with the CIA. Many tasks that Marsh took part in were tough, but one was extremely tough as two members in Marsh’s division lost their lives.

((Isaac Marsh: “we just got done for the day and all of a sudden mortars just started dropping. We jumped in a bunker and I didn’t have a vest on or a helmet or anything. We were just sitting and they were dropping in 30 40 mortars in ten minutes… bomb bomb louder louder like shrapnel’s going off the bunker sand flying all over the place we were sitting there wondering when the next is going to drop on my head.))

After this incident, Marsh has faced difficult times still today. Many things still bother him.

((Isaac Marsh: ”loud noises if I’m not paying attention I tell everyone at work because we have balloons and stuff just don’t pop balloons because you never know when someone might just try to scare ya with a loud noise behind your back. I tell them just don’t because I don’t know it scares the hell out of me and sends me into anxiety mode… and I just need to get out of this place for a walk. I just don’t know how to explain it.))

For Marsh, who is no longer a part of the National Guard and does not currently use military benefits, finds that follow up on soldiers is not adequate enough when they come home from Iraq. There are many psychological issues that haunt many veterans and some veterans may feel as thou their problem is not as important as someone else’s. This is where one organization jumps in to try and help Vermont veterans in need. Vermont Vet to Vet is a non-profit organization that reaches out to veterans who are in need and they try to provide them with the adequate services. For more information on veterans services provided by Vermont Vet to Vet visit their website atwww.vtvettovet.org .

 The government also offers a site that may help veterans in finding their proper benefits. That site is http://www1.va.gov/health/index.asp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This website takes you to the state website for veterans affairs. It provides veterans with information about where to go when looking into the benefits.

 http://www.va.state.vt.us/

    

 

Keeping the earth green is something that many in the Northeast Kingdom have given thought to. But now with the help of local businesses and schools… one organic farm gains the necessary resources to help production on their farm. With the help of Marcus Berry at NEKWMD, Eric and Cathy Paris agreed to take the composting materials that are gathered up from neighbors, businesses and schools and use it on their farm. This year alone over 75 tons of food waste have help the Paris’ run their organic farming business. While the Paris’ receive much of the composting material, they want to make sure that what is given to them from these organizations can be available to the members of the community. They sell their composting materials to those interested in buying it. The Northeast Kingdom has a head start on going green in Vermont.

Pond Skimming

An event that has been going on for quite some time brings people from all over the northeast to ski into a man made pond at the base of Burke Mountain. But many say it’s such a silly thing. The contestants go out there in all sorts of costumes in hopes that they will cross the pond on their ski’s and not fall into the pond. As each contestant flies down the mountain, they prepare for the worst but head back up the hill walking if they make it to the following round. When it comes down to the final, the winners are determined through the panel of judges sitting on the side line. Prizes are given out to the King and Queen of the Pond, the Prince and Princess along with many other categories. At the end of the day, most of the crowd heads to the Bear Den Lounge for some cocktails and socializing.

Washington DC March 13-15Traveling to Washington DC at the last minute was extremely interesting but educational nonetheless. On the executive board of American Women in Radio and Television Lyndon State Chapter, a decision was made to send myself and another executive board member, Courtney Rosemond. Early March 13^th, Courtney and I made our way to the Manchester Airport which was quite eventful because of the madness at the airport caused perhaps by Southwest Airlines. This was because the day before we left, the FAA and Southwest grounded 38 of their planes due to the airline inspections that were not in compliance with regulations. Scared may have been an understatement for me as I sucked it up and got on that airplane. As we hit turbulence not even 20 minutes into the flight, I got up to investigate the floatation device I was sitting on so I was aware of what may help save my life if this plane crashed. And the turbulance didn’t stop as we went in to land and boy was in a rocky situation. Finally on the ground, we hopped on the train and headed to Union Station to arrive at our final destination. The Hilton Washington Embassy Row, where the staff was extremely helpful and nice. After checking into the hotel, it was off to our first event and that was at the National Association of Broadcasters. A reception and screening of 14 Women was held where the group had dinner and cocktails. This is where Courtney and I met AWRT’s national board along with the director of 14 Women.

Friday

We woke up and went to the opening session where CNN’s Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley spoke about her journey of covering Obama and Clinton campaigns. According to Crowley, the two democratic candidates are much different than just what you see on TV. She talked how Clinton was your traditional candidate and Obama was inspirational to the many people who heard his speeches. A blog made by Crowley implies many of the hardships that go along with riding the bus on the campaign trail. Then the FCC Commissioners came to talk about their role in leading women into business ownership and women in the industry. Lunch was the craziest time because Suze Orman was the keynote address and she talked all about money and the power women need to take on. We then headed on to the Award Ceremony for the International Outreach Award which was given to Mariane Pearl for her generous efforts to help women stand up for themselves all over the world. Pearls husband, Daniel Pearl, was beheaded in Iraq and she later went on to write about it in her book, A Mighty Heart. Here we also had cocktails and gathered with the others.

Saturday

This was the day of our return and we headed back to Manchester to drive up 93 into the great Northeast Kingdom.

In the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Town Meeting Day is the purest form of democracy. As a reporter forLyndon State Colleges News7 , I find this day to be fast paced and exciting. This year I was not assigned to cover a specific town so I did a report on appropriations that many of the non-profit organizations in the area request from each town. I was working on this report for quite sometime before the air date but as it came down to the wire, there was some interesting news that came from the Vermont Supreme less than 24 hours before the story aired. A bill was rushed through the house and senate that would not allow towns to vote on individual articles through australian ballot which put this years town meeting votes in jeopardy. Articles that are voted on during town meeting day are approved by a simple yay or nay from the people but this year in the case John Mooney vs. The Town of Stowe votes were put in jeopardy of being counted…(not finished)