TO most of us, the heroism of D-Day is filtered through history books, television programmes and films.

But the veterans of the Royal Dragoon Guards do not need movies. They have technicolour pictures of those brutal, fateful hours stored forever in their minds. Because they were there.

We owe so much to the Dragoons, and to all the other soldiers who fought on the beaches 60 summers ago. Many of them paid for Europe's liberation with their lives.

That is why it is right D-Day veterans are receiving public funding for their diamond anniversary return to Normandy. Lottery cash has been frittered away on many inappropriate projects over the years. It is refreshing to see money being spent on a truly good and important cause.

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, May 20, 2004