ON Saturday, I was delighted to head to George Square to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Glasgow wasn't alone in its celebrations - there were events from Inverness to Stranraer - but I like to think ours were the biggest and best.

I spent easily a couple of hours, in the square itself and in the City Chambers, just chatting to veterans and those still in uniform - hearing tales of their deployments, risqué jokes about their superior officers and banter between them and their mates.

When I was a child growing up, you didn't see soldiers walking around the streets in uniform. Military top brass issued a ban in the 1970s because of threats from the IRA. That ban was only overturned in the last few years and I think it's great that people are able to see our soldiers, air crews and navy men and women out and about much more often.

The work that they do - peacekeeping, nation building, war fighting, aid delivery - is hard, dangerous graft. The responsibilities these young men and women are given and the judgements they make can truly be life-or-death.

The bravery, discipline, teamwork, strength and humour they display in discharging their duties are a lesson to us all.

The people I met on Saturday had the qualities of service and self-sacrifice in spades. I think the oldest I spoke to was veteran John Docherty. John survived the Clydebank Blitz, and later, a mine attack. Surrounded by family and friends he didn't let his mobility issues or evident injuries stop him - he was proud of his service and cheered enough by the sense of occasion to make a few cheeky comments, in amongst his testimony.

At the younger end, I caught up with Ross Doyle - currently serving in my old reserve unit, 32 Sigs - who asked me about what it was like back in the day, before posing for a selfie. I tactfully pointed out that I wasn't that old, I only left about 10 years ago.

While every story is different, all the service people I encountered shared a common set of values. Young or old, male or female – they each had that sense of purpose which comes from being part of something bigger; something much greater than themselves.

I thought of this on the way home as I passed Jardine Street, my old regimental HQ.

I loved being in the Territorial Army. The skills you learn, the friends you make, the pride with which you wear the uniform – it was a great experience and one I cannot recommend highly enough.

And in truth there’s never been a better time to join the reserve forces. Numbers are expanding, investment is increasing and the links between reserve and regular forces are becoming ever stronger.

This is not some amateur-hour Dad's army - you will be trained to the level of a regular soldier, you will be given the skills, ability and opportunity to deploy alongside them and you will be paid decent money for the training you do.

If it's something you fancy, but haven't worked up the courage to do anything about, then make a decision to look in at your nearest training centre this summer. If it's something you've never considered, why not give it some proper thought?

Our armed forces deserve our support. Honouring them on Armistice Day and Armed Forces day is one way to do it. Another is to get involved, train hard and wear the uniform with pride. Who knows, it could be the best decision you ever make.