Up Next On Vernon's Coronavirus Vaccination Tour: Local Veterans

VERNON, CT — Eligible local Veterans had a chance to get their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine as Vernon's pandemic tour of local organizations made a stop at American Legion Post 14 Wednesday.

About 50 vets and their families who were eligible under the Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines received their shots.

"It's part of the town of Vernon making the vaccine available to all who need it," Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "A lot of people want to live their lives again. They just want to get back to normal."

Post 14 Commander Jim George was all too happy to accommodate the town's offer. George is an Air Force Veteran.

"This is probably the most awesome thing we've done this year, and the Legion does a lot in town," George said. "And the best thing we can do it have it here, in our own house."

That comfort level was apparent just moments later when a veteran came in for his appointment. He did not have a driver's license — the typical form of identification — but Legion officials meticulously went over other forms of ID to get him signed in.

Vernon has partnered with Urgent Care of Ellington to distribute the vaccines at places like the Vernon Senior Center, the Legion and various houses of worship.

The town also handed our care packages to veterans Wednesday. They contained personal items like toiletries and protective masks. Vernon Town Administer and Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said the items were left over from disaster relief requisitions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state-issued coronavirus recovery packages and donations from local businesses.