4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - November 2013 Edition

5 5 After the Service for Vic, everyone did the normal milling around outside, expressing our feelings to Pam and her family, and among ourselves. The whole congregation seemed to blend into one big "family" group bound by mutual respect and love for Vic and a common feeling of profound loss at his passing. We were invited to a function room at the funeral premises to share fellowship, memories, stories and support. We were treated to a selection of cakes, sandwiches, pastries, tea and coffee and soft drinks. Suddenly it was as if we all had known each other forever. People stood and sat in small mixed groups, all eager to share the memory and privilege of having had Vic in our lives. Those Army friends who hadn't had much contact with Vic and Pam since Army days enjoyed learning of his life, loves, habits and accomplishments in civvy street, while I, personally, got a lot of satisfaction through talking at length with his sons and grandchildren, putting a bit of flesh around stories they had heard of briefly about the military phase of Vic's life. It was clear that he had remembered us all and had told his family many yarns. In fact, I found myself having to "rescue" my reputation from the many stories Vic had told beginning with: "When Swifty did .........." I didn't realise I was such a ratbag back then (no comment needed thanks). All the while this was going on, Pam moved among the gathering drawing love and support from everyone but it was especially obvious when she spent time with the Army wives. You could literally watch her absorb the "power" from our wives and see the incredible importance of that lifelong bond we all share. It was another stark reminder that our entire network must preserve at all costs the love, strength, power and value that we all possess as friends to each other. Later that evening, a large number of the congregation, and all the Army group, gathered at the nearby seaside village of Toogoom, where Pam lives, and had dinner, drinks and great fellowship at a wonderful cafe/bar called Goody's. You must all go there sometime. Again, with the story telling, clarification of part-remembered yarns, the embellishment that comes with alcohol consumption and the continuing demonstration of all our love for Vic and Pam and their family. The whole day was a stark reminder that the mortars are starting to land closer to our own fox holes and that we have to face, while fighting it off, the reality that we're all getting on. But I can say that when it's my turn, if I m blessed with similar attendance and Sandi gets the same support as Pam, then my passing will be easier to accept. As for Victor John Hardie, I bet he would have been proud and happy with his send- off and is comforted by the love and support that will be forever available through us to his family. FAREWELL OLD SOLDIER, REST IN PEACE.