An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Articles
News | Dec. 6, 2024

Vermont National Guard hosts 2024 Operation Santa's Convoy

By Mr. Marcus Tracy

The Vermont National Guard will escort Santa Claus on a lighted convoy around the state on December 19.

Operation Santa’s Convoy will travel on both a northern and central route that travels from St. Albans to Colchester and Waterbury to Berlin, respectively, on Thursday, December 19, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“We are excited to once again provide Santa a ride across the state.” Said Maj. Dakota Smith, Human Resource Officer with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) “We truly value the bond we have with our communities and are honored to be part of their holiday celebration.”

An hour before departure, vehicles will assemble into their convoys at their starting locations. During this time the public is welcome to visit and take pictures as the convoys prepare. The northern route will utilize the Walmart parking lot in St. Albans as its starting location at 700 Tuckers Way, St. Albans, VT 05478. The route will follow Route 7 south before using the 289 connector to travel down Route 15 through Five Corners and towards the Colchester Armory. The address of the Colchester Armory is 862 Barnes Avenue, Colchester, VT 05446.

The central route will start in the Shaw’s parking lot at 820 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury, VT 05676. It will then follow Route 2 passing through Montpelier on State St. The convoy will continue to Barre via Route 302 before advancing to the Berlin Armory along Morrison Rd and Airport Rd. The armory’s address is 363 Fisher Road, Berlin, VT 05602.

Members of the public are encouraged to come see the convoys before they set off, wave them on during their travels or visit Santa Claus and our Vermont National Guard service members at their end locations.

Northern Convoy Schedule
3:30 p.m. – St. Albans (departure at 4:30 p.m.)
4:50 p.m. – Georgia
5:20 p.m. – Milton
5:45 p.m. – Essex
6:00 p.m. – Colchester Amory (Santa will be visiting until 8:00 p.m.)

Central Convoy Schedule
3:15 p.m. – Waterbury (departure at 4:15 p.m.)
4:30 p.m. – Middlesex
4:50 p.m. – Montpelier
5:35 p.m. – Barre
6:00 p.m. – Berlin Armory (Santa will be visiting until 8:00 p.m.)

During the event, live route updates can be found on the Vermont National Guard account on X, under the handle @VTNationalGuard.

References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply endorsement of any company or organization. For more information, contact Marcus Tracy, marcus.o.tracy.civ@army.mil, 802-338-3324.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

National Guard News
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...