Armed Forces Day celebrated
Veteran marks occasion lockdown style
NICOLA FINDLAY
An East Kilbride veteran hosted a special stay at home street party to mark Armed Forces Day.
It is normally the day the nation shows its appreciation for our men and women of our armed forces.
But this year, due to COVID-19, celebrations were put on hold.
But in St Leonard’s Crawford Hill, 51-year-old Martin Marshall – a 22-year veteran of the army – hosted his own unique celebration.
He served across the globe with operational deployments to Bosnia and Iraq.
He also enjoyed training exercises in Canada, Cyprus and Kenya.
Since coming out the army, Martin has set up his own events business MC Promotions, and throughout the lockdown he has entertained the local neighbourhood every Thursday evening as part of the weekly clap for the NHS.
During the weekly street event, Martin has been collecting for EK Community Food Bank.
And on Armed Forces Day Martin also collected for Poppy Scotland with over £90 being donated.
Martin said: “The support for the food bank collection has been overwhelming.
“The whole community has got behind it, as the weeks have gone on the level of donations has remained at an impressive level.
“The EK Community Food Bank have had an increase on the number of families depending on them, like many other food banks”
The local community also enjoyed the street party for VE Day back in May, with everyone enjoying from there own gardens or balcony.
Martin added: “It has brought the neighbours together, and brought about a great sense of community spirit.
“I will continue to play music every Thursday and collect for the food bank until we have completely come out of lockdown and back to some form of normality.”
Martin started his military career when he joined the local TA unit at Whitemoss when he was 18 as a driver.
Back then it was 222 Squadron of the Royal Corp of Transport.
When Martin was 22 he decided to join the regular army, but as a member of the Royal Army Pay Corp, passing out as a Military Accountant.
Since leaving the army seven years ago, as well as forming his event business he has studied at South Lanarkshire College.
He qualified in HNC Events Management and has just completed his HND in Accounts.