Willowbrook resident Mike Thomson, 77, was busy Monday, Nov. 1, collecting donations for the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund in front of the Save-On-Foods store on 64th Avenue.

鈥淭he box is full,鈥� a pleased Thomson noted, heavy with coins and bills.

Many who contributed thanked the retired lieutenant for his service.

鈥淢uch thank-yous,鈥� is how he responded.

During his 25 years in the military, Thomson served in Cyprus, Egypt and Germany, maintaining and repairing armoured personnel carriers and tanks.

鈥淚 had a trade,鈥� is how he put it.

READ ALSO: Legion hoping sense of normalcy returns to this year鈥檚 poppy campaign

He describes himself as a 鈥渢hird generation soldier.鈥�

He is the son of a Second World War tank commander, who barely survived when his Sherman tank got shot up during the allied invasion of Europe.

鈥淗e received a medical discharge,鈥� Thomson recalled.

Thomson鈥檚 two grandfathers 鈥渁nd several uncles鈥� served in the First World War.

On Monday, the grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of two was in uniform with his United Nations peacekeeper鈥檚 blue beret, and medals which chart the stages of his career, beginning with tours of duty with NATO, then Cyprus, and Egypt, before ending with an award for service from the Canadian Forces.

鈥淭hen I quit,鈥� Thomson smiled.

In 1981, he returned to civilian life, and completed a four-year degree in industrial education, in two years, then going on to teach for 18 years.

While Thomson is a 91原创 resident, he is campaigning on behalf of the Cloverdale legion, because the 91原创 City branch went under a few years ago, requiring the Aldergrove and Cloverdale legions to expand their coverage.

91原创 Legion Branch 21 ended up in the red after moving from its former home on Eastleigh Crescent and finally closed in 2018.

READ ALSO: 91原创 Legion Branch 21 closes

In addition to searching out legion members like Thomson to make a contribution, or poppy boxes in local businesses, Canadians can also make a donation towards the campaign at , where they can create a digital poppy, add a customized commemoration and share it on social media.

Donations to the Poppy Fund are placed in trust to be used for the care and benevolent support of veterans and their dependents.

Poppy Funds may be used for grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance; housing accommodation and care facilities and many other benefits.