The Vermont State Guard (State Defense Force) has experienced a notably transformative year, marked by increased visibility, expanded mission support, and a renewed emphasis on telling its story. Before turning to recent events in the Green Mountain State, it is worth recognizing the consistent and professional work of the Vermont State Guard’s Public Affairs team. Through regular updates highlighting training activities and operational missions, the Guard has emerged from relative quiet in prior years to reestablish itself firmly in the public eye. This renewed presence reflects deliberate leadership efforts to showcase how the Vermont State Guard assists and supports the Vermont National Guard wherever possible, reinforcing its value as an operational partner and community resource.
That commitment to service was on full display during Operation Happiness 2025, a long-standing holiday mission focused on supporting Vermont families in need. Over the course of two days, members of the Vermont State Guard worked alongside community partners to distribute food boxes and toys to residents of Franklin and Grand Isle counties. The mission’s first day saw Guard members braving torrential rain and intense wind conditions as they supported distribution efforts, a reminder that Vermont’s winter weather can be unpredictable and demanding. In past years, service members have experienced everything from unseasonably warm temperatures to deep snowfall during this same operation, underscoring the adaptability required of the force.
On the second and final day of Operation Happiness, conditions shifted dramatically, with Guard members operating in frigid temperatures as they completed distributions at the St. Albans Armory. Despite the sharp change in weather, the mission continued without pause, ensuring that families received essential food items and holiday gifts. This year marked the Vermont State Guard’s 24th consecutive year supporting Operation Happiness, a testament to the organization’s long-term commitment to community assistance and seasonal relief efforts.
Operation Happiness itself is a community-driven initiative organized in partnership with United Way organizations in northwest Vermont. Its mission is to support families facing economic hardship during the holiday season by providing food, toys, and other essentials, helping ensure that children and families experience a measure of stability and joy during a challenging time of year. For the Vermont State Guard, participation in Operation Happiness reflects a core aspect of its mission: serving Vermonters directly, strengthening community resilience, and standing ready to help where the need is greatest.
Taken together, these efforts highlight not only the Vermont State Guard’s operational capabilities, but also its growing presence as a visible, trusted partner within the state. Through consistent leadership, effective public communication, and hands-on community service, the Vermont State Guard has reaffirmed its role as an essential component of Vermont’s total force—supporting its National Guard, serving its communities, and carrying forward a tradition of service that continues to gain momentum year after year.
Day 1 of 2 of operation happiness 2025 is in the books. Members of the Vermont Syate Guard braved torrential rainfall and heavy extremely heavy wind conditions today as we assisted the United Way of Franklin and Grand Isle County Vermont with distribution of food boxes and toys for local community members. In years previous members of the Vermont State Guard have seen 60° days to 2 ft of snow during this event. Tomorrow members of the Vermont State Guard will be back out at the St Albans Armory completing operation happiness.
Today wraps up the second and final day of Operation Happiness 2025! Today members of the VT State Guard braved frigid conditions (a big difference from yesterday) and help distribute food and toys to family’s of Franklin and Grand Isle County. This is the VT State Guards 24th year of assisting with this event!
Source: Vermont State Guard