There was a moment during the Armed Forces Day parade in Dundee that brought home to the watching crowd just what it can mean to put on a uniform and serve your country.
It came when a patrol made up of soldiers from A Company, 7th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland and a medic from 225 Medical Regiment were displaying patrol tactics.
Suddenly shots rang out and, as the troops advanced across City Square, one of their number fell wounded.
While some of the patrol returned fire, others went to the aid of their fallen comrade, putting into practice the “man down” drill. The medic tended to his injuries before he was placed on a stretcher and hauled away for treatment.
Behind him on the battlefield the enemy sniper lay dead.
That may have been nothing more than a training exercise but, for some of the soldiers taking part in the parade, such a scenario was a very real possibility just a few months ago.
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The men of 4 Scots (the Highlanders) spent six months in Afghanistan where they were part of a multi-national battlegroup fighting the Taliban during the removal of bases from central Helmand Province.
To many of the veterans present, the display was also a reminder of their days of service, of the risks they ran and of the comrades they saw fall, some never to rise again.
The parade heard prayers for all those in the armed forces and the crowd were invited to join in singing Abide With Me.
The event began with a march through the city centre, including some of the crew of the Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose, which has been enjoying a stay at its namesake port.
Cadets and members of the City of Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association were also there, with the salute taken by the city’s deputy lieutenant Dr Joe Morrow, association chairman Victor Herd and Brigadier Paul Harkins, commanding officer of 51 (Scottish) Brigade.
Hundreds of people packed around City Square to hear the 4 Scots pipe band play while the parade was inspected by the dignitaries, including Depute Lord Provost Christina Roberts, who praised the “wonderful turnout”.
She said Armed Forces Day was a chance to celebrate the contribution of all those in the services at home and overseas and described the parade as a fitting tribute to them.
The brigadier told the crowd on behalf of all the current and former service personnel they were grateful for public support.
“We do our duty to defend our nation. We do it with honour, we do it with distinction,” he said.