But once inside, as he lined up with the gentle brotherhood of retired warriors, it was very quick, it went with military style and grace. They may be colonels, they may be sergeants, they may be Navy or Marine. They may be WWII, Korea, Vietnam, but they have one thing in common: they know how to wait patiently and follow orders.
It was smooth, quiet, respectful. Nostalgic.
Swipe your ID and check in to the system, get your number like at the donut shop, sit briefly in a holding area until the big ex-Marine volunteer barking numbers sounds off your 72, then go to one of 10 numbered work stations each outfitted with a tech, a computer and vaccine. No clipboards, no pencils on strings, no questionnaires, no insurance forms.
Now tell Marilee at Station No. 3 your birth date so she's sure that you're really you, then tell her you're not allergic and you've never had French polio and then a light prick in the arm and you're done. Five minutes total.
Thousands got theirs today. Have you had yours?
