SIR, I feel a need to put my thoughts of this past week on paper and to publicly thank those who remain from the 1939-45 conflict. It is too true that old soldiers never die, just fade away. As I watched the events from Normandy on our television on Friday, it became clear to me that these were a band of brothers and sisters who not only held their own fate in their hands but that of the free world which we all enjoy today. Unfortunately, they are fading away, but their heroism and sacrifice will live forever. My generation was one of the first to benefit from their sacrifice. By this I mean we were never needed to lay our lives on the line for our country. Let us not forget those who fought in the Far East, with the forgotten army who paid the ultimate price. However, the purpose of this letter is to express my gratitude to those who remain with us, who sit in the bosom of their families, with dignity. They have witnessed hell and looked it straight in the eye. When the final bugle calls, they will join their brothers and sisters in arms and will enjoy the peace they deserve. To those who have gone before, we have the opportunity to pay our respects at our cenotaphs. To those who defend us on land, on the sea and in the air, who protect our way of life, I have no doubt that they have the same qualities as those that have left us: they will not falter. To those politicians who hold our country's fate in their hands, I say: together we stand, divided we fall. Be aware of the threat from within and the wolf is never far from the door. And, if you fail in your duty to protect via peaceful means, the lion and the dragon will come to the rescue. I would like to thank all those people who have resisted tyranny, oppression and racism, no matter what their gender, colour, religion or nationality. Many of these people reside within our own town: we will remember them. Gerry Bright, on behalf of Alex, Charlie and Emily-Scarlet (Monmouth)