When the time came to help brother and sister Marines get COVID vaccinations, Master Sgt. Roslyn Schroeder she hit the deck running.

When Lehigh County resident U. S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Roslyn Schroeder of Coopersburg realized how hard it was, even though she is computer literate, to get scheduled for a COVID-19 vaccination, the Marine Corps veteran immediately understood that it would be nearly impossible for some of the members of her local Marine Corps League Detachment to get a vaccination without a lot of help.

On her own initiative, Schroeder got on her computer and her phone and started looking for COVID vaccine appointment availability from the few vendors who were stocking the vaccines and had openings on their calendars.

Om July 14 Schroeder was awarded the Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award for her exemplary service in getting local members of the Bethlehem Detachment 284 of the Marine Corps League scheduled for COVID-10 vaccinations.

The award was presented a ceremony at the Jones-Quigg Post 739 of the American Legion in Hokendaqua by Douglas Graves, commandant of the Bethlehem Detachment #284 of the Marine Corps League.

The award citation is accompanied by a medal that Schroeder is authorized to wear on her Marine Corps League uniform.

“When COVID hit,” said Schroeder in a recent interview, “my immediate concern was to be able to get the vaccine in a timely manner. It was difficult to find a vaccine appointment in February of 2020. I realized that some older people were not as computer savvy [as myself], so I continued to help anyone I knew that was looking for one. Several Marines in our Marine Corps League were able to get their shots quickly by [my] calling them and letting them know what sites were offering them at that moment.”

She said she knew others who were trying to help.

“I also knew a few other people who were also searching to help others find appointments, and we would call each other when we saw new appointments online. Through our COVID phone chain we were able to help friends, family, veterans, and others secure a vaccine appointment. This is what makes organizations like the Marine Corps League so great. We’re all in this as one so we band together to help each other in our times of need.”