FEW people can visit the military cemeteries of Normandy and fail to be moved by the enormity of the sacrifice made by young men 60 years ago.

For those who actually took part in D-Day, and survived, the visits must be charged with emotion.

Yesterday's ceremonies were especially poignant. For many of the veterans, in their 80s and 90s, it was their last visit to France. Their last opportunity to reflect on their immense courage in 1944, and their last opportunity to remember the friends and comrades who died.

It is to the credit of the veterans that they look back to D-Day with dignity and pride, but without a trace of bitterness.

They give a lesson in humility to all younger generations. The march of time may prevent them from paying fitting tributes in years to come, but their place in history must never be forgotten.

It is perhaps appropriate that the 60th anniversary of D-Day comes in the same week as elections which focus attention on the future role of our country within Europe.

For many people, including many veterans, the sacrifices of D-Day were necessary to help prevent the surrender of the sovereignty and cultural identity of Britain to others. This analysis has some resonance with opponents of greater European integration.

There is, however, an alternative interpretation. Those who died and risked their lives on D-Day were part of a generation brought up when Europe was torn apart by two world wars.

Few of those who scrambled ashore on the beaches of Normandy 60 years ago could have believed that neither their children nor grandchildren would be summoned to the battlefields of Europe.

While the ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day offer an opportunity to celebrate pride in Britain, they also offer an opportunity to celebrate 60 years of peace, understanding and co-operation between the nations of Europe.