By Bonny Burrows
A wedding marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment – but for one local couple their 11 November wedding was also a time to reflect.
A man known simply as Andrew, called upon the Pakenham RSL on Friday for a last-minute delivery of 100 poppies for his Remembrance Day wedding.
Pakenham RSL Secretary Kieron Appleby received a phonecall from the flustered groom-to-be, asking for help in securing 100 red poppies for each of his wedding guests.
“I got a phone call saying ’I’m getting married tomorrow, and I want a poppy for myself, the bride and our guests’,” Mr Appleby said.
“His fiancee’s grandma was a war widow, and they wanted to pay their respects.”
Despite the short notice, the RSL stopped at nothing to help Andrew out, rushing to gather bundles of the red flowers together.
“We were really pleased to help. We were already running out but it was our priority to get him his poppies,” Mr Appleby said.
“And we did – I met him at Heritage Springs with his poppies.”
The 100 $2 poppies certainly totalled a generous donation to former servicemen and their families; however Mr Appleby was sure to throw in something extra for the happy couple.
“I also gave him two $10 poppies at no charge for the bride and groom, and wished him all the best,” Mr Appleby said.
