This was another busy week. Lots of people needed smiles and comfort. As I regularly do, my schedule began at Faith on Sunday morning.
The week was focused on veterans; the exception was one of my regular senior center visits. I now have four, possibly five, senior centers on my monthly calendar. The one this week was in Gurnee. It seems like everyone there knows my name and when I arrive. There was lots of petting and conversation.
Then, the first veteran activity I had this week was at the VA hospital in North Chicago. We went to Building 134 this time. We visited with a number of veterans that we know very well. One was Will. He is a Vietnam veteran and was in the transportation/trucking part of the military operations. He seemed to enjoy telling about some of his experiences. We have learned that more and more veterans we meet are very happy to share their experiences. It was a major part of their life.
We were then told that one of our dear friends, a WWII veteran named Frank, had passed away a few weeks ago. He always was happy to see us and talk. He was in General Patton’s Third Army in Europe and earned a Purple Heart.
Next was a happy and sad visit to the wake and funeral of a veteran. The ceremonies were at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods. I joined a number of other dogs to remember this person and provide comfort to the family.
Lastly, I had another happy and sad event at LCC. This was “22” Supper. It was sad because it remembers the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. It was happy because we meet many living veterans and join with other comfort dogs. This supper was special because our pastor was the guest speaker for the program. He shared many pictures from his recent assignment to Antarctica.
I am reminded again and again about how many people in so many different situations need to have comfort and joy as we share Jesus with them.
Be in touch. Peace!