In an ironic twist, a thief’s actions have re-newed a group of veterans’ belief in the public’s kindness and generosity.
Last Friday, someone stole a collection of flags from the Royal Canadian Legion on Bridgeport Road.
Tucked inside ski bags in a storage container outside the 291 Branch, the cache consisted of 10 flags, accompanying brass flag poles and a banner belonging to the legion’s ladies auxiliary. Among the stolen standards were B.C.’s provincial flag, a Union Jack, a City of Richmond flag and Canada’s red maple leaf.
“Someone must have thought they were going to get a good pair of skis,” said Bob Miller, vice president of the local legion.
Instead, what they got was not worth much in terms of monetary value, but certainly valuable to the vets who use them in parades such as Monday’s Remembrance Day event at the city hall cenotaph.
“Losing the flags, well it wouldn’t have stopped us marching. We would have been there with a broomstick on our hands,” Miller quipped. “We just wouldn’t have had the right colours.”
But as word spread about the loss, support to replace them mounted. Miller said on Saturday the phone at the legion hall started to ring with offers of replacements.
And on Sunday, while selling poppies at Richmond Centre mall, there were waves of people coming up to Miller, asking how they could help. Many even thrust money into his hands saying, “This is for the replacement of your flags,” he said.
In total, the legion collected $270 in cash from the public.
“I was totally blown away by that,” Miller said. But what was even more heart-warming was the number of donated replacement flags the legion received.
“We had a boy scout troop from Marpole give us a couple of flags — a Union Jack and Canadian flag. The Richmond Oval gave us a City of Richmond flag. And the legions in Peace Arch and Tsawwassen came through with another eight flags,” Miller said. “All of those donations, especially from the scouts, got me all choked up.”
Miller added he and the rest of his legion members marched with a special sense of pride down No. 3 Road and to the cenotaph in Monday’s event, which was well attended.
“This kind of outpouring of help really restores your faith in people,” Miller said.
