By Gregory Thayer

Now that the big celebrations have come and gone in our nation’s Capitol, Vermont missed a huge marketing plan. I’m very disappointed in our Governor, again for not joining the Freedom 250 Fair on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Vermont and a handful of other Democrat-led states chose to skip the Freedom 250 National Fair on the National Mall, an event designed to celebrate America’s 250th birthay and the unique role each state has played in building our Nation. The Governor’ claims the decision came down to cost and time, but that explanation rings hollow. They had 45 days to prepare, and this was not a surprise invitation to a backyard picnic. It was a national celebration.

For many Vermonters, the missed opportunity was especially disappointing. Our state has a story worth telling: maple syrup, dairy farms, slate and marble, the Green Mountain Boys, the Vermont Republic of 1777, and our place as the 14th star on the flag and the first state admitted after the original 13. Vermont was the first state to answer President Abraham Lincoln’s call in 1861 for men to help preserve our Union, as then Governor E. Fairbanks sent brave men to defend the Union,  and we gave America leaders such as Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur, along with statesmen like Robert T. Stafford, George Aiken, and Jim Jeffords. We have also produced Olympic champions and innovators whose achievements reflect the best of our small state.

Events like this Freedom 250 Fair should rise above partisan reflexes. This was a chance to remind Americans that our strength comes from shared history, civic pride, and gratitude for those who built the country we inherit today. If a State cannot set politics aside for a moment to honor America’s founding and its own contributions, what message does that send to the next generation? President Trump’s America 250 team, lead by Dr. Monica Crowley, has managed an incredible events. Although somevStates did not show up, they still set-up a very basic booth for every State. We were there, in a limited capacity with no representation or information or literature to share our rich history snd to promote people to come to our Green Mountain State.  Some Vermonters showed up at our booth to share our story. 

Governor Scott should have seized this nice opportunity to showcase Vermont and put America first. Celebrating the Nation does not erase our differences; it reminds us that those differences are part of a larger American story, especially in a year like this. I wished Vermont participated, because pride in America and pride in our great Vermont should never be treated as competing values. They should reinforce each other.