United States

VP Mike Pence Returns to Vt., Before Abrupt WWII Commemoration Mission

The vice president had no public appearances on his schedule, but made a stop to U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington

Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Vermont Friday morning, for what appears to be a short visit—after a trip to Poland was abruptly announced Thursday.

Pence landed at the Burlington Airport just before 11 a.m. in a plane bearing no obvious federal insignia. Security was tight as the vice president stepped off the jet.

Pence met briefly with a group of Vermonters, including representatives of the Vermont National Guard, as a small crowd gathered outside the fence trying to catch a peek of the V.P. and his motorcade.

“It was, you know, an experience,” said Kimberly Lyford of Swanton, who witnessed the motorcade drive by. “Not the biggest light of my life, but it was part of history.”

“He is the Vice President of the United States; we are U.S. Citizens—it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime deals where you can see who’s running the country,” said David MacDonnell of Jericho, another onlooker.

This is the second consecutive Labor Day Weekend Pence is visiting Vermont, with no public appearances scheduled.

Last year, Pence vacationed at Lake Hortonia in Hubbardton, reportedly getting some fishing in. He also checked out the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch.

Pence is said to be quite an admirer of the thirtieth president, who was a Republican from Vermont.

During this return trip, necn spotted Pence’s vehicles making a stop at U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington and along the bike path on Lake Champlain.

The way Pence was received in the state’s largest city, home to political rival Bernie Sanders, of course depended a lot on party.

“While we wholeheartedly disagree with the vice president on nearly every issue he’s ever taken a position on, we welcome him to Vermont,” said Christopher Di Mezzo of the Vermont Democratic Party. “And maybe he’ll learn a thing or two about acceptance and tolerance while he’s here.”

“I like Mike Pence. I think he’s a class act,” said Patricia Howes, a member of the Chittenden County Republicans, who was working the party’s booth at the Champlain Valley Fair Friday. “I appreciate him coming—I wish I could’ve seen him. I would’ve said, ‘Thank you for all you do.’ I really do think they’re trying to ‘make America great again.’”

Pence’s trip to Vermont appears to be a quick one. It was abruptly announced Thursday that Pence would be traveling to Poland this weekend to fill in for President Trump at a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

President Trump announced he is staying in the United States to monitor impacts from Hurricane Dorian.

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