Thank a Veteran, Get a Flu Shot

My husband is a veteran. He served 20+ years in the Air Force, is now retired and has moved on to another career all together. But his service to our country is very much a part of his life, meaning then, both our lives.

It was not a shared experience. I was not a part of his life during his Air Force days. But I love to hear him talk about it, I get a kick out of many of his stories, and I'm fascinated by the experiences he can share. His two sons, fine young men by anyone's standards (who I'm happy to claim as "mine" now too!) were raised in that regimented, yet worldview environment that career service members experience. One is even a career Air Force man himself now. A captain, soon to be a major.

I am so very proud of the man my husband became from that service! He lived in five countries across the globe, and saw parts of life on this planet that most of us will never experience or even know about. His understanding of people and cultures, no matter where or how they live, is broad and respectful. He retains a handful of friendships with his fellow service members even these many years later.

So how do you show the veteran you love, just how much you love him? Why not make sure he or she stays as healthy as possible?

It occurred to me that spring and fall when we change our clocks to accommodate daylight, we are told to change the batteries in our fire alarms, too. A great reminder.... so....

How about if we use Veteran's Day to remind us to get our flu shots? Reminders are always good things, and it serves a dual purpose. An opportunity to thank a veteran in a very useful way. A sign of how much we care and value them by telling them we care enough to take steps to keep them healthy....

By making an appointment or showing up at a flu vaccine clinic.

Even if you don't have a veteran in your life who you would make an appointment for, you can still protect him or her. They are, after all, part of our "herd." Don't forget, we must all be vaccinated to help those around us.

Hubby and I got our flu shots last Friday. If you haven't yet gotten yours, please pick up the phone, or check a listing of locations for clinics and do so. Today. Veteran's Day.
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