Armistice Day

On Friday I represented Legacy at Tradelink, a commercial enterprise mainly involved with plumbing. They have a couple of hundred stores around Australia all administered from their Brisbane HQ. Once a month the staff have a theme day, dress up and generally have a good time while collecting for a nominated charity. This intiative comes from the top but is clearly supported from the ground floor. Friday being Armistice day the theme was the service and sacrifice of servicemen over our history. I was there all booted and spured with polished medals and regimental tie and was escorted around by two delightful ladies dressed as nurses, complete with make-up scars. One section had turned their office space into 4077 MASH with people dressed as BJ, Honeycut, Radar, ‘Hot Lips’ Hooligan and yes, there was a Cpl Klinger. He did it so well and had the panache to carry it off. One young man had his grandfathers medals, with history and a young woman had a huge library of 1942 newspapers and Time magazines recovered from under the linoleum when she recarpeted. Entire sections were given over to military themes with militaria, badges, flags, posters, news clippings, model soldiers and equipment. What impressed me was the respectful way I was treated. Not me personally, of course, but what I represented. Everyone I met knew what Legacy does and they gave generously – almost $500, a sum that will be matched one-for-one by the GM. They spoke respectfully of service and sacrifice and nearly all had a story to tell of their family member who had died or served. It bouyed me and reaffirmed my faith in the Australian people. No politics, just thanks and I thank them in return. Not for the money, although it is appreciated, but for their smiles, handshakes, appreciative comments about Legacy and service and just for taking us seriously. Armistice Day is always sad for me – I’ve buried too many friends for it not to be so, but this one was all the better for my having visited Tradelink.