KEETCH PAYS TRIBUTE TO "OUR D-DAY HEROES"

2.04.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Jun 2004

Hereford's MP, Paul Keetch, has paid tribute to the men of D-Day after returning from Normandy where he attended ceremonies to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the great day. Mr Keetch attended the events as the Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, together with his Party Leader - Charles Kennedy, Michael Howard, the Conservative Leader and Nicholas Soames the Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary. Also in the delegation were Lady Soames, Sir Winston Churchill's daughter, and Field Marshall Lord Bramall.

"It was a very great honour to have attended the events to mark that historic day," said Mr Keetch.

"We were flown to Normandy in an aircraft from the RAF's Royal Squadron, looked after on the ground by the British Army, and returned with the Royal Navy. To then have taken part in the Remembrance Service at Bayeux and the international events at Arromanches was a great privilege. However, it was the march past of veterans next to the beach that was so special and will last in my memory. Those veterans, and their comrades who died then and since, were the heroes 60 years ago, and are heroes today."

The events yesterday were led by the Queen and President Chirac at Bayeux, with the Prime Minster and Defence Secretary, and the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand. The Kings of Norway and Belgium and the Dutch Queen then attended the international event with the Queen, Presidents Chirac and Bush, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Presidents of Poland, Slovakia, Greece, and for the first time, President Putin of Russia. Also there for the first time was the German Chancellor, Gerhart Schroder.

Finally, the Queen took the salute of the British veterans in Arromanches.

"It was an honour to meet so many of the veterans, and, like me, some people whose parents had fought in the war, including a couple from Garway in Herefordshire," continued Mr Keetch.

"My father had fought with the RAF in the war so to see the Lancaster and Spitfires make their fly past was a special treat. I was amazed how strong the veterans were, especially in the blistering heat of yesterday and after so many of the ceremonies had been delayed. Although this was supposed to be the final commemoration of D-Day, I have no doubt that most of them will continue to return to Normandy for many years.

"It was good to see so many younger people in the crowds too, and to embrace the warmth of the welcome given by the people of Normandy. They suffered too during D-Day and the days that followed leading up to their liberation. Along with those of the French resistance, they too played their part with the Allies in the final victory over Nazi Germany."