Brogan: The Next Chapter!

Last week I walked back into the ConcordTV Studios located in Concord High School. It was my first time there in 14 months and the feelings associated with the long absence quickly disappeared. Despite the masks we wore prior to taping and the fact that we greeted one another with our elbows, in no time at all the ease of doing a show returned.

It helped that I had my former Staff Producer, Matt, was right where he needed to be and that my first guest was Tony Schinella, Field Editor for Patch. Once we took off the masks, while maintaining appropriate distancing, it was almost like old times. The end result can be viewed at this link: https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/Xr8MIp6iGKk9kd2-nGV5XvtU7qurHzBe/media/639131?autostart=true&fullscreen=false&showtabssearch=false&jwsource=em

A return to taping was one more step toward a return to what will hopefully be our new version of normal in everything that we do and in the way we interact with one another.

Growing up in Concord, during the 1950's and 60's, was the epitome of small city living at its best. We all knew so many locals and relished our time spent together. We never worried very much about the dangers associated with Russia dropping the bomb, or not having a shelter in our home. After all, we lived in the United States and most of the world respected us as the Great Nation we seemed to be.

Daily, we began school by standing and placing our hand over our heart and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It was even possible to get a lump in your throat when you sang, "My Country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty..." and when Kate Smith chimed out with Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" there were chills.

While our parents might have disagreements with friends or relatives about political notions, the spirited conversations rarely if ever involved denigrating anyone. We were taught in school that healthy discussions, disagreements and freedom of speech were part of the fabric of our country.

On March 8th I went and got my vaccine at the race track. It took less than 20 minutes to receive the Johnson and Johnson single dose. The party-like atmosphere and celebratory nature of the many volunteers at the track that day, only reinforced the reasoning behind my easy decision to do it. It didn't hurt that a lifetime of serious Asthma provided a reality check that if I were to get Covid I would either be critically ill or die.

I respect the right of anyone to say no to getting vaccinated. It has to be their decision and trying to guilt someone into doing it does not seem fair. However, I have had some wonderful discussions with friends and acquaintances about my experience and those of friends and family and several have changed their initial thinking as a result.

My gratitude for being born in this Country and for having the opportunities I have had, made it really easy to pull up my sleeve and allow myself to be needled. It's the same thing that made me jump in my VW Bug, many years ago, and drive down to Silver Street in Manchester and enlist in the US Navy.

It was the Viet Nam era and the time of the Draft. I wanted to enlist, however, and gave but a passing thought to the harsh reality that I might very well be sent overseas and could die or return home horribly maimed, as so many did. What overruled all such thoughts, however, was a genuine desire to do what was right for my Country and those living here. That same attitude affected my decision in getting vaccinated.

Not getting a vaccine does not, in any way, change my feelings toward friends or make me think less of them. We are all Americans, whatever our differences may be, and that is ultimately a bond that we share.

I love my selection of masks. Why? Because for the first time in my life, I have not had so much as a sniffle, much less a cold or the flu, in the past year. For an Asthmatic, that's almost like being cured, and I've saved a fortune in Kleenex and medication, not to mention doctor visits.

Recently a woman in Market Basket commented on me and my mask, saying, "You look so cute..."

When you're my age and someone say's you're cute, that in itself is a reason to make your mask a permanent accessory!!

Stay safe and well and enjoy the return!