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.