WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont Judge Set to Deploy

Vermont Judge Set to Deploy

St. Johnsbury, Vermont - October 23, 2009

Courtroom 1 in St. Johnsbury took a break from its normal judicial activities Friday to bid farewell to a judge who usually rules the room. Judge Howard VanBenthuysen is a member of the Vermont National Guard and will soon be heading to Afghanistan with his fellow soldiers.

"I enjoy doing what I am doing in the guard," VanBenthuysen said. "Didn't necessarily expect another deployment this fast, however that goes with the territory."

VanBenthuysen is a Superior Court Judge who most recently presided over the Kadamus hunting tragedy case.

However he is trading his gavel for a gun as he prepares for his next mission. VanBenthuysen said, "And I think like a lot of Vermont soldiers, one of the things that goes through my mind is what exactly am I doing to be doing? What's Afghanistan going to be like? How is it different from Iraq?"

VanBenthuysen was deployed to Iraq in 2006. The Lt. Col. was stationed at Camp Anaconda for a year where he did come under enemy fire. But rather than worrying about what lies ahead in Afghanistan, VanBenthuysen shows concern for the co-workers he's leaving behind.

"I do feel badly leaving my colleagues with that added case load that I am not going to be around to take care of," he said. "You know the budget problems are contributing to development of some backlog in some of the courts."

"We are going to miss him and we wish him well," said Kathleen Pearl, who manages the St. Johnsbury court. "It is difficult for all of us. It is going to make a big difference in the court docket not having that second judge here."

Pearl says that everyone in the court will be stepping up their efforts in VanBenthuysen's absence.

"The presiding judge that we have now will have a little bit more on her plate and the rest of us all will too," Pearl said. "We know it is worth it. We thank him for his duty as well as everybody else who fights for our country."

"I'm honored to serve my fellow Vermonters and I am looking forward to coming back to Vermont and sitting in my rocking chair on the porch," VanBenthuysen said.

A ribbon tied to a tree in front of the court reminds the community of those who serve to protect it-- almost like a soldier standing guard waiting for everyone's safe return back home.

Adam Sullivan - WCAX News