When yours truly will be hanging around local supermarkets [withou getting arrested...again], be-jewelled with a Veteran's Badge and Poppy badge, doing an impression of a man who knows what he is doing and feeling incredibly embarrassed when the odd soul does that American thing and "Thanks me for my Service". Little do they know I only have two war stories one of which involves throwing food garbage at an Icelandic fishing boat whilst they were throwing fish guts right back at us. Oh yes, and doing a little number on us by running alongside and putting a thirty foot gash in our ships side at the cost of a coat of paint to them. Yes, I served in the "Cod War" or as I renamed it [this evening], the "Icelandic Campaign", never got a medal for that one, I thought a Cod's head motif would have been most suitable, alas the Ministry of Defence failed to agree.
Apparently the Isle of Man has, per capita, and for the last thirty odd years, donated the largest amount of money to the Poppy Appeal, yes the populations only 80,000 odd, but they are a generous bunch of souls, and as I have said before, words often fail me when I get to witness their generosity up close and personal. For a brief moment in time I am glad I joined and feel slightly proud of the Veterans Badge on my lapel, as opposed to more than slightly embarrassed at any other time.
Looking forward to my annual reminder that sometimes there is a lot to like about humanity. Be well all, and say hello if you pass by with your shopping!!
