State of the Re:Union explores the challenges veterans face as they return home from war.

We look at what tools are at the disposal of Vermont's downtowns and village centers and the challenges they're facing. Also, we get some insight into the controversy over Greg Mortenson's work in Afghanistan. Plus, we hear about Poultney's audio walking and driving tours.

A motorcade carried the body of Cpl. Ian Muller, of North Danville, from the Burlington International Airport to St. Johnsbury, along roads lined with people paying their respects. The 22 year old was killed in combat last week in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

There are 180 members of the Vermont Legislature, and only 7 of them represent the Progressive Party. But despite their small caucus, the Progressives want to make an impact on how the state closes the $176 million budget deficit.

Many of the 1,500 Vermont Guard soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year are returning to Vermont this week. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says they're already receiving support to readjust to civilian life.

A lengthy, large-scale deployment of Vermont National Guard troops is nearing its conclusion, and Adjutant General Michael Dubie discusses the mission and the aftermath of the soldiers' service in Afghanistan.

The commander of the Vermont Guard in Afghanistan says there's much progress to report as his soldiers prepare to end their year-long deployment.

In his first Report from Afghanistan, VPR's Steve Zind says the controversy surrounding the burning of the Muslim holy book has been on the minds of Vermont National Guard soldiers, and it's altered their routines. 

Congressman Peter Welch says his recent trip to Afghanistan has reinforced his view that the current policies of the Obama Administration can't be successful and that a new strategy is needed.

Sergeant Tristan Southworth was laid to rest Wednesday in Hardwick, near his hometown of Walden. Southworth died in a firefight in Afghanistan last week alongside another Vermont Guard member, Sergeant Steven DeLuzio.  

Teachers at Hazen Union High School in Hardwick are preparing to help returning students cope with the death of Tristan Southworth, a popular 2007 graduate who was killed during a firefight in Afghanistan over the weekend.

Sgt. Tristan Southworth, 21, and  Sgt. Steven Deluzio, 25, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, were killed Sunday during a two-hour gunbattle after their unit was attacked by insurgents in an area just west of the border with Pakistan.

This weekend, friends and family remembered Specialist Ryan J. Grady for his devotion to his family and to his country.

Ohana Camp in Fairlee is setting aside time exclusively for families of Vermont Guard soldiers serving in Afghanistan.  VPR's Steve Zind spoke with one wife at camp with two children.

VPR's Jane Lindholm speaks with Colonel Will Roy of Jericho, commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan about some of the challenges for the Guard's current mission.

As National Guard soldiers deployed for service in Afghanistan in recent weeks, they've received a send off from hundreds of well wishers.  Among them are the parents of soldiers killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Adjutant General Michael Dubie about the scope of the Afghanistan deployment as it now stands.

The head of the Vermont National Guard says Vermont soldiers face a difficult, possibly more dangerous, assignment in Afghanistan. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says the task has shifted from primarily training Afghan troops, to more of a combat mission.

In 2004 VPR news spoke with Chris Day, a Vermont Army National Guardsman leaving for active duty in Kuwait. Five years later, Day - who teaches history at Brattleboro Area Middle School - is about to deploy again, this time to Afghanistan.

The Vermont National Guard's 2nd in command will be among the 1500 guard soldiers headed to Afghanistan in the New Year.  Brigadier General Jonathan Farnham will be leading a new organization monitoring the training of Afghan security forces.