tstk,
Agree, I once did a straw poll, the general feeling amongst all ranks was 'bung £20 in the kitty and lets have the weekend off'. Think how much fuel they would save on an Air Day too.
As for the National Servicemen being proud to display, it is an age thing, although I know a fair number who belong to other associations and therefore do not feel this need for need it probably is.
I am a member of the Charybdis Association where the first generation survivors are keen that their particular remembrance lives on.