Scottish Secretary and Minister McNeill remember all those who served.
The UK Government marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day today [Thursday 8 Mary] at events in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, met veterans at the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh (including two who served in WW2) and Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill will attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Glasgow Cathedral.
At the Lady Haig Poppy Factory Mr Murray met VE Day veterans Margaret Landels and George McLeod (99) before being shown round the factory, which produces poppies for Poppyscotland's fundraising efforts.
Speaking after his visit, Ian Murray said:
"VE Day is a moment for us all to give thanks to the wartime generation. We thank all those who served at home and abroad, who gave so much to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. Of course, the war was not over until VJ Day, but VE Day marked a crucial turning point in the war and in our history, and it is right that we continue to mark it 80 years on. I very much enjoyed meeting Margaret and George, and hearing first hand about their service for their country."
Before his visit, the Scottish Secretary joined civil servants to mark the national two minute silence at noon at the war memorial in Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, a UK Government Hub.
Speaking after attending the Service of Thanksgiving, Minister McNeill said:
"It was a huge privilege to attend the VE Day Commemoration in Glasgow to honour all the men and women in Scotland who served during the Second World War, and also to recognise the great sacrifice of the people of Glasgow during the Clydebank Blitz in March 1941. We owe our lives to those who served, and the very moving ceremony in Glasgow Cathedral is a fitting reminder of that."
VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) marks the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945. The 80th anniversary of VE Day - and of VJ Day in August - is an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation.
