I write under the name of “VTgirl” since I am, in fact, from southern Vermont. It was a great place to grow up — a small town where everyone literally knew your name. It was definitely a rural community and when we graduated high school some of us went onto college, but just as many continued into the military. My sister’s high school boyfriend and best friends went into the service, the boy who lived a couple doors down from us joined up, and so on. For those, who didn’t feel like college was their path the military offered a lot of options — it would pay for you to learn a skill, experience to travel the world, and a job when jobs can be hard come by in a small state like Vermont.

I learned this morning that the state of Vermont has lost more soldiers per capita than any other state. 30 soldiers lost — just to put that into perspective, I graduated from high school with 30 students in my class. Ten of the soldiers that died were under the age of 24.

I’ve never been one to put soldiers on a pedestal. There are a lot of people who give their lives to help their country or community. I see the numbers rise each day, and see the stories from neighboring towns that I have old friends and teammates in — I have to ask. . .

WHEN WILL THIS END?

Students from Norwich Academy, created a documentary Vermont Fallen that follows that families of fallen soldiers. Not only are we sending young men to their death, but they leave behind family, friends and loved ones who have to try and heal.

WHEN WILL THIS END?

The Burlington Free Press has all of the names of the fallen soldiers.