It has been a long year since we bunkered down due to COVID-19.

The last few weeks have been the most frustrating as we 80-somethings tried to get on the vaccination list.

I have spent hours upon hours every day this month trying to sign up on state, local and pharmacy lists, only to be greeted with “nothing available” at every click of the mouse.

Friends called me with suggestions that would guarantee my wife and I a place in line.

“CVS opens its registration at 6 a.m.,” I am told. I set my alarm, go online and fill out the form, only to read that there is nothing available. Then I am told that that midnight is the correct time. Same result.

I find an email online to register, fill out another complicated form, and actually get a date and time, discovering the following day that the vaccination is only for medical people and I would be turned away and be in real trouble.

I go online and cancel, hoping the COVID cops don’t show up at my door.

Finally, on Feb. 18, I find two spots at 5:05 and 5:10 at the Cranston pod.

Joyce and I arrive in the rain 10 minutes early and join a line that extends around the building.

Things don’t look bright at first, but the line moves quickly as we enter the gigantic building. We are welcomed by a member of the National Guard and given instructions.

Joyce has COPD and can’t stand or walk for long. She has brought her sports chair to sit on, but the line keeps moving. An astute National Guardsman notices and brings us a wheelchair. We are brought to the wheelchair line.

We notice many people under 75 in line. We gathered that many medical-related people were there for their second shot.

We also noticed how organized and efficient the Guard was. Maybe they should be running our … no, I won’t go there.

The young men and women in uniform were easy to spot, not only for their khaki brown uniforms, but also for their friendly faces.

They led us to the right places, asked the right questions, and never spoke condescendingly.

They chatted with us while we waited for our shots and sat for 15 minutes afterwards.

Joyce asked if they switch assignments during the long day. No,” a young Guardsman told us. “All the nerds work the computers, the rest us give directions.”

If you are a “time and motion” person, you will marvel at the efficiency and organization. The entire process took about an hour.

Thanks to the friendly, efficient, caring men and women of the Rhode island National Guard for making our experience a pleasant one.

(Ironically, we got a call the following day to sign up at the Cranston Senior Center.)