TV PRESENTER and former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers will host Scotland's Salute, the national service of commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The 37-year-old, who lives in Dunfermline, will introduce a night of musical performances on June 6 which will be interwoven with first-person testimony from Scots involved in the largest amphibious assault in history.
The concert will be held at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and remember those who fought on D-Day, also known as the Normandy landings, which helped to liberate France and turn the tide of the Second World War.
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JJ said: "It is so important that we mark the efforts and sacrifice of June 6, 1944 80 years later, particularly as the generation that served there begins to fade.
"It is important to remember. It is not enough that we don’t forget.
"We must take time to reflect, we must take time to celebrate their efforts and commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“All gave some, some gave all. But what did they give it for?
"They gave it so that we could have the freedoms and securities that we have today.
"Those efforts from 80 years ago must be remembered and must be learned from today, so that we can pass them on to future generations so that they may not have to pay the price that many paid 80 years ago today.”
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JJ had his own price to pay after joining the Royal Marines Reserves whilst working as a teacher in Edinburgh.
He served in Afghanistan but, in May 2011, he sustained severe injuries in a bomb blast; he suffered facial injuries, lost two fingers and his right elbow disintegrated.
JJ remained in the Marines during his rehabilitation until 2016.
In September 2014, he was a medal winner in non-amputee cycling for Britain at the Invictus Games, the international Olympic-style sports competition for injured veterans.
He later progressed into TV and radio presentation, working for Channel 4 and the BBC.
In 2020, he was a quarter finalist on Strictly Come Dancing and has gone on to present the Paralympic Games, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Money for Nothing, Scotland's Greatest Escape and a mini-series on Dunkirk.
The event has been organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.
CEO of Legion Scotland, Dr Claire Armstrong OBE, said: “We are thrilled to welcome on board this project somebody so dedicated to the cause of Remembrance, to the causes of our Armed Forces community, and whose talent as a presenter will help guide our audience through a poignant and celebratory moment in history.
“Along with our musical acts, as well as other VIP guests that are to be announced, I am looking forward to delivering Scotland’s national commemorative event which marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”
Gordon Michie, head of fundraising and learning at Poppyscotland, added: "JJ's experiences as a veteran, complemented by his terrific skills as presenter and host, will ensure that Scotland’s national commemorative event is reflective, and fitting, as we unite to remember a generation of history makers.”
The concert will feature music from The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland, the Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2 Scots Pipes and Drums, Dunfermline District RBLS Pipes and Drums, and members of the Military Wives Choirs.
It will be narrated by the former voice of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Alasdair Hutton OBE TD.
Tickets priced at £18.70 are available via the Usher Hall’s online tickets platform with all profits being split equally between Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.
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