A former RAF Sergeant whose 22-year military career was cut short following an accident at RAF Kinloss is urging people across Moray to remember not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also the veterans still living with the effects of service.
Stevie Gray will join fellow veterans from Erskine's Veterans Activity Centre in Forres at the town's war memorial on Wednesday 11 November to mark Remembrance Day.
Stevie served in the RAF for 22 years, working on Buccaneer, Jaguar, Victor, Phantom and Nimrod aircraft. His career took him across the world, including the Falklands, Germany, Canada, the United States, the Middle East and the Far East.
His military career came to an unexpected end following an accident at RAF Kinloss in the mid-1990s, which left him with permanent nerve damage and a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
Forced to leave the career he loved, Steven struggled with the loss of the camaraderie, friendships and sense of purpose that had been such an important part of his life. However, he has since found renewed friendship and support through Erskine's £1.6 million Veterans Activity Centre in Forres, which has helped him regain the sense of belonging he experienced during his time in the Armed Forces.
Steven said: “Remembrance Day is a time to think about those who never came home, but also the friends and colleagues we served alongside and the sacrifices they made. I think about the people I knew during my time in the RAF, particularly those who lost their lives, and members of my own family who served, some of whom are sadly no longer with us.
“I’ve always felt that Remembrance should also be about those who are still here. There are veterans across the country living with the physical and mental effects of their service, sometimes many years after leaving the Armed Forces. Just because someone has taken off their uniform doesn't mean the impact of their service has gone away.
“I know what it feels like to think you've been forgotten. When I had to leave the RAF, I lost the camaraderie and sense of belonging that had been such a big part of my life. Erskine has given me that back. It's the friendships, the banter and being around people who understand what you've been through. Remembrance is about making sure those who served are never forgotten, and that includes the veterans who are still with us today.”
Since opening in December 2025, Erskine's Veterans Activity Centre in Forres has welcomed over 800 members, providing a place where former servicemen and women from across Moray and the surrounding area can meet, build friendships and access support.
The Centre offers a range of activities, including sport, recreation, arts and wellbeing programmes, alongside opportunities to learn new skills and reconnect with others who share similar experiences.
Steven will attend the Remembrance Day commemorations alongside fellow veterans and Activity Centre Manager Davie Grant.
Davie said: "Remembrance Day is an important occasion for our veterans and the wider Forres community. It gives us an opportunity to come together, pay our respects and remember the sacrifices made by generations of servicemen and women. Many of our members have lost friends and colleagues during their service, and Remembrance Day gives them an opportunity to reflect on those experiences and the people they served alongside.
"Stevie's story also highlights the importance of the support we provide here in Forres. We want every veteran who comes through our doors to feel valued, supported and part of a community where their service is recognised."
