REMEMBRANCE DAY
I donated to Legacy Australia which helps 52,000 Australians currently, families of soldiers who have passed on.
In 1923 Legacy made a promise to help families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of a loved one due to military service. Their work continues today.
“I think [people] think a ‘digger’ is an old veteran in a wheelchair being marched down Anzac parade. But anybody that’s done one day’s service, as far as the government is concerned, is a veteran, which is an interesting change in the way we think about our veteran community,” said Legacy’s President Mark Lax in a recent interview with the ABC.
Mr Lax understood there might have been a belief once that as the generations of World War II and Vietnam veterans grew old and passed on that there may be a belief in the community that Legacy would become a smaller operation.
Not anymore.
Like other charities COVID affected collecting for donations this year particularly around the time of Remembrance Day where the biggest fund raising occurs.
“We would normally send our [supporters] to the shopping centres with the badges and the bears, but this year we’re not able to do that,” Mr Lax said.
In Queensland in 2020 Legacy was there to help 153 people with a disability, support over 5,800 widowers, more than 60 families with and 217 youths.
“They do realise people are thinking of them, and I think that’s really important,” said Mr Lax.
One example is a young boy named Javas who needed a new laptop when the switch was made to online schooling during COVID.
“That laptop, it is more than a computer for Javas. It’s love. It’s support. Looking at it reminds him of Legacy and that connects him to his father.” – Yulia, Javas’s mother.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
Good to hear that organisation is helping the families of ‘modern’ veterans to this day. Nice feature, Lloyd.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you Pete, I suspect as long as there are wars there will be Legacy to help those who suffer the loss from such horror. Best wishes Pete.
This is the 100th post of the COVID-19 Diary. I look forward to the day it ends. It will hopefully be an interesting thing to look back on. Thank you for reading and commenting throughout. I always look forward to your response.
Sounds like a wonderful organization, Lloyd. There are many more who suffer the horrors of war than just those who actually fought.
Very true Don.
I really cannot like that poem 100%. Two wonderful verses, and then a call to arms, “Take up our quarrel with the foe” and presumably kill as many as you can !
It’s a good job that we all have those wonderful organisations such as Legacy Australia to give help to those who need it when the shooting stops. Our government certainly doesn’t seem to be too keen to spend money on war veterans.
I understand where you’re coming from John. Although you probably noted I split the poem on purpose for effect. Its call to arms a call to action to serve these people, support such charities perhaps or other worthwhile causes. Thank you for your comment as always. How are you? I was very happy to hear schools have been closed by BJ but of course that shows how dire things are. Please stay safe.