Members of the Vermont National Guard traveled to Vienna to further strengthen the state partnership between Vermont and Austria. With ball season in full swing, the Vermont National Guard was able to get a taste of Austrian culture at the 75th Officers’ Ball, which took place on January 20 in the historic halls of Vienna’s Hofburg palace.

In fact, the Vermont National Guard was the guest of honor at this year’s ball. The U.S. officers were thus able to experience one of the many traditional Viennese balls that are held during this time of year and share a bit of American culture with their Austrian colleagues.

Another milestone for the U.S.-Austrian partnership was the signing of a new student exchange program. The Austrian Theresian Military Academy and Norwich University cadets are now able to participate in exchange programs at their respective partner university. Vermont and Austria have already hosted dozens of exchanges since the partnership became official through the State Partnership Program in the summer of 2022 and we are looking forward the future of the partnership.

Image copyright: Bundesministeriums für Landesverteidigung / Bundesheer Events