THE Scottish Veterans Minister was in town this week as he visited the Ayrshire Veterans Breakfast Club.

On Monday morning, Graeme Day popped in to the Melbourne Café in Saltcoats following the launch of the UK-wide Strategy ‘For Our Veterans’.

The Minister has been widely consulting with the veteran community and the strategy sets out the vision, principles and aims which will drive support for veterans in the future.

This visit was an opportunity to hear how DMWS has helped to make sustained positive change to the armed forces community in Scotland, as part of the Unforgotten Forces programme.

Robert Reid, Area Manager said: “I am a veteran myself and know first-hand that our armed forces are frequently exposed to distressing sights and experiences on deployment, and may have sustained injuries or medical conditions related to their Service.”

“The ministerial visit provided an opportunity for our veterans to discuss their experiences past and present, and the impact it has had on their lives. Being able to speak to Mr Dey directly about what support is being provided Scotland-wide to assist the significant number of ex-service personnel, was a wonderful opportunity.”

Mr Dey said: “Scotland has a long and very proud military tradition. Our Armed Forces and Veterans Community are assets to our society and I want to ensure that their service is properly acknowledged and that they are well supported and looked after.

“I am pleased to have been able to join in the Veterans Breakfast this morning and visit Poppyscotland’s Welfare Centre with the Defence Medical Welfare Service to learn more about the excellent work they do to support our veterans community.”