As we come to the end of the calendar year it is often a time to reflect on the 12 months just past and the upcoming New Year. It has once again been an exceptionally busy one for our organisation.  Our mission, to use our membership network and partnership relationships to continue to provide opportunities for comradeship and veteran’s support across Scotland, has remained as strong as ever. 

 

We were incredibly honoured to be involved in the Kings Coronation in London on the 6^th of May 2023 with our National Parade Marshal and Area Standard Bearers in attendance for the occasion and saw many of our Branches and Clubs across Scotland mark the Bank Holiday weekend with great dignity and pageantry. We continue to feel the loss of our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and await confirmation of who our new Patron will be.

 

Throughout this year we have focussed on continuing to deliver support to veterans and their families through our comradeship activities, pensions and advocacy service and our Veterans Community Support Service.

 

We have completed a full and varied programme of events throughout this year including, Remembrance 2022, the Best Kept War Memorial Competition Anzac Day, Scottish American Memorial Service, National Standard Bearing Competitions and marking key military commemorations including the Korea 70^th Anniversary.  Our membership once again provided excellent support for the annual Poppy Appeal in November 2022 raising more than £596,000. This money ensures that vital support and services for our veterans and their families in Scotland can continue all year round.

 

Planning and preparation for all of these is ongoing throughout the year and the success of these events is due not only to the dedication of the Head Office staff but our fantastic team of volunteers and the Branches and Areas who support us.  It is truly a collaborative effort to ensure that we are annually delivering the events our community wish to support and attend.

 

Our Areas, Branches, Clubs and Members are the life blood of the organisation, and no one is better equipped to deliver comradeship and support in the local communities across Scotland.  From Remembrance, to fundraising, to monthly meetings and comradeship events, our legionnaires have worked tirelessly to ensure they are providing friendship and places of safety for our Armed Forces family and the wider community.

 

 

Our nation has experienced some of the most difficult times in recent years with the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and the economic volatility brought about with the outbreak of conflict in both the Ukraine and now Israel and Palestine. There has never been a greater need for us all to look out for one another and to ensure that in all we do we are the embodiment of our motto “Service not Self”.  We have continued to reach out to those facing isolation and loneliness and are ensuring that we recognise the part we have to play in a wider national network of military and other charities. 

 

As we look ahead to 2024 (hard to believe I am saying that already) we anticipate a full calendar of events including a special D-Day 80^th Commemoration, sporting activities and Training & Support Roadshows in each of our 5 Areas.  It is shaping up to be one of the busiest years we’ve had for a while, and we look forward to sharing all the news and information with our members in the bulletins throughout the year ahead.

 

As the year draws to a close, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I look forward to your continued support in 2024.