Continuing on with the significant activities I did last month, August has been equally active. I regained my community presence at three locations. I established a new relationship with a mission that is helping adults in need. Then, I was able to participate in another major veteran’s celebration event.
For the community, I visited the senior residential facility called Radford Green, then I rejoined the folks in downtown Libertyville for their farmers market, and finally, I visited another residential location at Gurnee Meadows. At all of these locations, people were so happy to see and pet me. We’ll be going back to these places in September.
I received a request from an organization that saw me at the recent Highwood prayer vigil. This person was a manager at REACH in Riverwoods. They help adults who have developmental disabilities learn new skills and connect in the community. Everyone was very happy to see and pet me. I have now been invited to come back on a regular basis.
The last event was a major veterans’ event called the Honor Flight. Veterans are signed up to board an airplane and fly to Washington, D.C., for a day of sightseeing at various memorials, such as the World War II, Korean, and Viet Nam Memorials. They spend the whole day there, and then fly back to Chicago in the evening. About 100-150 veterans may make the trip. Last Wednesday, I was with my handlers and Pastor Buckman welcoming the veterans back home. They had a bag-piper band, many flags, and a large group of US Navy sailors escorting the veterans into Midway Airport. Other comfort dogs and I were also there to welcome them home. Family members of the veterans also lined up to cheer them home. It was a very cheerful and emotional event, and lots of pictures were taken.
Praise the Lord for all of these opportunities to serve people in His Name.
Be in touch, peace,
Asher